Rocky Simpson

Just to clarify, we're on regional operations?

The other question I have is: there are some suggestions here on how to help, and one of them is to reduce our small business tax or eliminate it. It's currently sitting at 4 percent, and we'd like to see it down to at least 1 percent or eliminated. There's one option. The other thing we should be looking at, as well, is: we do have businesses out there who do have loans from government lenders, and we could look at the interest rates. We could also look at deferring the payments during this period. The third one is: we have to make sure that any businesses are being paid in a timely manner...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm just looking at community government funding and formula funding. Has the department reviewed the formula funding in the last while to confirm it's equitable and it works for all the communities? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These questions will be for the Deputy Premier. We know that COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic. We know that it's affecting the health of the people, and we know that there is going to be a cost to our healthcare system, but there is also a cost to the economy, as well. I'm wondering if this government has considered how it can support businesses during this period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Is it reasonable to assume that that municipal funding gap will decrease over time considering the age of some of the infrastructure in the communities? Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'd like to ask the Minister: how is it determined if a contractor should be placed on the suspension list?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess if we have an all-encompassing act and regulations -- I'm thinking about the smaller communities where they kind of get left out. If somebody's doing a project and you're waiting two or three weeks for an inspection, that's a problem. I am assuming that as you're doing this review, that's in the back of your mind, as well. Is that correct? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions are for the Minister responsible for NWT Housing Corporation. Earlier, I spoke about suspension lists for contractors. I'd like to ask the Minister, does the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation have a suspension list for contractors in place? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to plan review, what aspects of the plans does the Office of the Fire Marshall look at? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. There is always a concern about timing, that from the time you file the plans to receiving a response doesn't fit in with some of the projects. It takes a little too long. Is there any appetite to increase the number of staff there? Thank you, Madam Chair.