Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One other question that I had trouble hearing as well. Will the Minister relay to the federal government the negative impact the carbon tax has on all residents and businesses in the Northwest Territories, because people are suffering right now, especially in the northern part of the territory and we need some type of support. Like, I know that green energy is the way of the future. That's what we're looking for. But it's not going to be here today; it's not going to be here tomorrow, it's going to take a while. And so I'm hoping that, you know, federal government...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm pleased to hear that there's a minister  a federal minister in the gallery. I didn't even know that.

Mr. Speaker, residents and businesses in the NWT are struggling. How does this government expect to provide immediate support while we are waiting on this cheap green energy that's supposed to show up at some point? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also ask the federal government to consider exempting residents and businesses of the Northwest Territories from carbon tax? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I'm pleased to see this. And, you know, the Charter of Rights allows for such a policy. And, you know, when we talk about affirmative action, I think it's important that we make we make it alone a priority. We like, my colleague said, we seem to be watering down, you know, the interpretation a bit and the policy. So I'm glad that it is being made or this motion did come forward. It's clear and concise.

The one thing, though, I guess, that you I would recommend as well is that I know there's some discussion about possibly changing the definition of Indigenous...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also relay to the federal government the negative impact the carbon tax has on all residents and businesses in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that when this House adjourns on Thursday, March 30th, 2023, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, May 25th, 2023;

AND FURTHER, that at any time prior to May 25th, 2023, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, or at a time later than the scheduled resumption of the House, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we voted to continue collection and administration of the carbon tax on behalf of the federal government. Although it divided this House, I believe we are all in agreement that the tax itself is bad for the NWT and should be eliminated or an exemption provided.

Mr. Speaker, we heard a passionate plea from the Member of Nunakput who's constituents, and who I believe are the most impacted by this tax a tax that only increases the cost of living for residents and drives away development. The people who live in and make the northernmost communities...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I understand, you know, what's required for mitigation in Hay River. And it's a very  variety of things. For instance in one area, which is known as Cranberry Crescent, they  there's houses there, and they're pretty expensive houses and they've all got basements. And they got flooded. Yet, there's no way they're going to lose their basements and raise their houses up. So what they need is a berm and raising the road. So in that sense, what is the government doing to ensure that's done? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These questions will be for the Minister of MACA. Mr. Speaker, again, the flooding in Hay River, you know, it was devastating, and it's going to take a few years to recuperate. And so far, you know, I think that this government and the federal government has stepped up. They provided funds. They've done a good job. You know, it takes time. You know, we lack  you know, we lack, you know, the contractors in the community to do all the work all at once. And, you know, and then the supply chain, that's still a problem. So there's a few issues.

But one real issue is...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I look at this motion and I guess, I think about the youth in Hay River and some of the issues, you know, that I've had to deal with as well. And, again, we are talking about a very vulnerable, you know, population. We're talking about, you know, Indigenous youth and others as well. We're talking poverty, poverty as well. But one thing we don't do is we don't seem to make this a priority. It has to be a priority. We're talking about life and death here. And for some reason, I don't know why, you know, we can't get it through our heads that it's so...