Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. As I indicated earlier, we have in our presence the contestants for the Caribou Carnival queen, the princess and prince, and I would just like to call their names and if they are there if they could stand up and bow. Mildred Wilke, Jodi Wilson, Elisbeth Fossum, Chelsey Normandin; they are the contestants for queen. For princesses: Alaina Reyes; Blessing Tsar; Danica Wouters; Ramona Normandin; Karlee Turner; and, Stacey Grandjambe. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On that, the amount for the chargeback to TSC and systems and communications, am I to understand that TSC…I mean, it’s a little confusing here because TSC is within the mandate of this FMBS, but is that the money allocated for this section is charged for the services they use from TSC even though they are TSC? Oh, no, this is the money that directorate would spend to get the services from TSC. Then I would have to ask why it is that this directorate needs to spend that much money on TSC. What is the major work that they need from TSC? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In keeping with my notice that I gave yesterday, I would like to ask for the breakdown on the other expenses of $1.142 million. Also, maybe I should just add here that there were a couple of breakdowns for other expenses that I asked for under Finance. I appreciate that that department has been dealt with, but given that we have the same Minister here, I just want to get a commitment from him again that he will provide me with those breakdowns that weren’t provided yet. Could I get a breakdown on this particular number, please? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a short comment. I do believe that the AOC committee report on the review of this budget was already read. One of the things that was mentioned there is the rationalization of a technology service centre, and I was one of the Members who felt that this was a positive step. The decision to amalgamate and centralize this function came about due to the nature of the work, where I am sure the rapidly changing technology made it necessary and made it sensible that there be some focused, central location where these services could be provided and there be some level...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a short question, which has been introduced by Mr. Menicoche on the property taxes and school levies. May I get the information as to what portion of the increase between 2003-04 mains to 2004-05 mains, which amounts to almost $7 million, is coming from the diamond mines? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a question on the personal income tax item there. We are seeing an increase of $7 million from the 2002-2003 fiscal year to the fiscal year of 2003-2004, prior to any increase in personal income tax that is being proposed in this year's budget. So I am interested in knowing what explains that $7 million increase, considering that it was my understanding that we had in fact increased the personal tax exemption, which I understood would decrease the income from personal income tax. Or is that exemption taken out somewhere else and is this gross personal income...

Thank you. I think you managed here. In that case then, the announcements for additional funding that we're getting from the federal government -- there have been a couple of them in the last while -- where would that appear? Would that appear under the Department of Health, or would it appear on this page somewhere? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to be clear that I am going beyond the message for tourism. I think that message for the tourism industry is a good one and it has been used for a long time. I am suggesting something different, a little slogan for the whole Territories, NWT government or the NWT as a whole. In British Columbia, for example, they use the slogan “Beautiful British Columbia,” I don’t know if this is for tourism. I think PEI has a short message that everybody understands, which I can’t remember at the moment; sorry. So I am looking for something beyond...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this being Friday, I would also like to touch on a lighter topic, but an important point and it has been raised by two other Members already. It is with regard to the messages and slogans, sort of the branding of the Territories. I do believe the previous questions focussed on this idea as a tourism strategy. But someone has brought to my attention -- I believe she's in the gallery -- the fact that the NWT does not have an NWT-wide label or a brand name or a slogan or something that we use repeatedly that is recognizable around the world. I can think...

I have no further questions on that item. Thank you.