Robert C. McLeod

When you first discuss issues with the federal Ministers, initially they're not receptive to them. You just have to convince them as to why you need it, and then you get support from the folks in the Northwest Territories. We've had those discussions. I can't say whether or not he was receptive, but we make a case and they look at it based on the case we make and make a decision based on that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we have a fairly good idea of what those costs may be, and I will have that discussion with committee before I have it on the floor of the House, out of my respect for the process that we go through in this building and my respect for committee.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to my far right, I have Ms. Tara Hunter, who is the Deputy Secretary of Human Resources. To my immediate right, I have Mr. David Stewart, deputy minister of Finance and deputy secretary of the Financial Management Board. I got the name right. To my left, I have Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar, who is the deputy secretary to the Financial Management Board. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have to apologize to the Member. Of course, you know, we are doing some preliminary work and some preliminary numbers, and I think I made a commitment earlier in the deliberation to go back to committee and have a discussion with committee on this particular issue. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, once the legislation is passed and we have an idea of a cost, if there is an opportunity to bring it forward through a supplementary appropriation, then that's a direction we are going to take. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 20182019 Main Estimates for the Department of Finance. These estimates total $234 million, which includes the GNWT operating contribution of $76.4 million to the NWT Housing Corporation. Overall, the department’s estimates propose a decrease of $1.2 million or 0.5 per cent over the 20172018 Main Estimates.

Setting aside the changes in the contribution to the NWT Housing Corporation, which you will review with Minister Cochrane, highlights of Finance’s proposed 20182019 Main Estimates include:

$600,000 for a new training program that will provide...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it's not showing up in here because the federal legislation needs to be passed before that, and I think, when that does happen, that will happen through the liquor revolving fund. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, Mr. Chair, that is correct. I mean, the idea is that it will go through the department for now, and then as we get further into it, then I guess we are going to have to make a determination at that time on which direction we should go; but for now, it will be, yes.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, first of all, in the process we operate under, I want to have a conversation with standing committee, and then we will look at the possibility of having a broader discussion at that time. I know they and we always welcome comments to the Department of Finance on revenue options, whether we proceed with them or not. I mean, we have to have a look at them, but it is not like they can only comment when we go out for public discussion. Comments are always welcome, and then I am sure we get the odd one as to how we can increase revenue. I want to have a...

We are still going through the process right now, but as Members in this House are aware, the Prime Minister has made a commitment to our Premier about recognizing the uniqueness of the North. I have assurances from the Minister of the Environment that they recognize the unique situation of the North. The Member is absolutely correct. We want to put a product together that is made in the North. I think we've given some numbers to the committee; if we use the federal backstop, then what residents would have to pay would be a lot higher than if we implement our own made-in-the-North approach to...