Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to that I’m going to have to be very careful to make sure that I’m clear with my question here. The follow-up to that, Mr. Speaker, is that I know that the Minister is aware, and I understand that the income level that small businesses will be eligible for this low tax rate will go up from $300,000 to $400,000, which is a good thing, but not too many businesses in the North make that much. What is also important is to raise the tax rate for those who are making first $300,000 and I’d like to know whether or not…The government has suggested reducing small tax...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as advertised, I held a meeting with my constituents at Range Lake North School last night and, although the turnout was not large, it was a valuable and substantial opportunity for me to get an input from my constituents on a number of issues that are before us here in the House and also to hear from them about what’s important to them.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that we spoke and listened about the new affordable housing initiative, the Yellowknife educational facilities plan, the Deh Cho Bridge project, and lots and lots about a whole issue surrounding...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize there are lots of VIPs in the gallery and everyone else I would like to welcome them, but there are a group of people that are really important and they are the senior citizens from Aven’s Court. It includes, of course, my mother and all her neighbours. I would like to welcome my mother, Taejeong Lee, and the lady who lives behind her, Sandra Taylor, the lady who lives next to her, Esther Braden, and the man who lives across from the field, Mr. Ed Jeske, and Vivian Squires who just started working for the Seniors' Society and is looking after...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on this, the very first occasion to speak in this Fifth Session of the 15th Assembly, I'd like to take this opportunity to speak about something that has been at the forefront of my mind over the least seven weeks, and that is the labour dispute between Ekati diamond mine and its bargaining unit, the Union of Northern Workers.

Mr. Speaker, I believe I join everyone else in the House when I say how encouraged we are that the parties are back at the negotiating table as we speak, and how much we wish, in the interest of all parties involved, that they will...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As my final supplementary on this issue, which we know we’re going to continue to work on, Mr. Speaker, could I just ask the Minister to reconfirm his support for this project and similar projects in the North for the seniors? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this first opportunity this session to ask a question to Minister of Health and Social Services and on an issue that he’s quite familiar with. It has to do with the efforts of the Yellowknife community to build the Alzheimer’s facility in the city, Mr. Speaker. This has been something that has been worked on by the YACCS and other senior leaders of the city for a very long time. A couple of years ago there was a suggestion by YACCS to the government for them to finance the money that was required to build the building as long as there...

Mr. Speaker, the emergence and prosperity of the diamond mine industry have benefited our city and many surrounding communities enormously. However, if this labour dispute continues for much longer, more workers may choose to leave the city, as some have done already, and we will lose much of what we have gained. We will lose not only the skilled tradespeople, but also their spouse, many of whom are employed in many important sectors in our economy, whether they be teachers, nurses or small business operators. Goodness knows, Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to lose any of them from our...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As my final supplementary on this issue, which we know we’re going to continue to work on, Mr. Speaker, could I just ask the Minister to reconfirm his support for this project and similar projects in the North for the seniors? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this first opportunity this session to ask a question to Minister of Health and Social Services and on an issue that he’s quite familiar with. It has to do with the efforts of the Yellowknife community to build the Alzheimer’s facility in the city, Mr. Speaker. This has been something that has been worked on by the YACCS and other senior leaders of the city for a very long time. A couple of years ago there was a suggestion by YACCS to the government for them to finance the money that was required to build the building as long as there...

Mr. Speaker, the emergence and prosperity of the diamond mine industry have benefited our city and many surrounding communities enormously. However, if this labour dispute continues for much longer, more workers may choose to leave the city, as some have done already, and we will lose much of what we have gained. We will lose not only the skilled tradespeople, but also their spouse, many of whom are employed in many important sectors in our economy, whether they be teachers, nurses or small business operators. Goodness knows, Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to lose any of them from our...