Tom Beaulieu

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to keep the short-term borrowing down, as the Minister indicated, we will need to have more revenues and possibly even cuts to the government. Would the Minister give us a rough estimate for the next year? What is expected to be gained in revenues and how much, if any, is expected to be saved through cuts?

In the recent press release that I referred to in my first question, the Premier said the government needs to take decisive action to keep our fiscal problems from getting bigger. There are a lot of rumours about what decisive action means. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance what decisive actions are being considered to resolve the fiscal problem.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two members of the Wiilideh riding: Mr. Darrell Beaulieu, who was my official agent, and also Chief Ernest Betsina.

WHEREAS, Rule 89(2) requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:

Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;

Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, the Member for Nunakput; and

Mr. Daniel McNeely, the Member for Sahtu;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government...

I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:

Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;

Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, the Member for Nunakput; and

Mr. Daniel McNeely, the Member for Sahtu.

And further, that the following members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations as alternate...

I know the government typically borrows money at the end of each year for short-term until the following year's budget is approved. This is basically bridge financing. In 2014-15, a total of $242 million was borrowed, which is a jump of about $200 million from 2010. I would like to know where this government is going on short-term borrowing. Roughly, what is the goal of the short-term borrowing at the end of this Assembly in 2019-2020?

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. There's been a lot of stories in the media, a lot of talk about the government's fiscal strategy. The Premier has issued a press release. I am glad to hear that Territorial Formula Financing reduction from the federal government is not as much as first indicated. I'd like to ask the Minister of Finance to tell us what things the government is considering to increase revenues. Thank you.

Marsi cho. [English translation not provided.] Mr. Speaker, today I would like to send my deepest condolences to the King-Boucher family of the late Henry King, who sadly passed away January 20, 2016. He was born on the Rat River on August 28, 1925. Henry was one of 13 children who drew up on the Taltson River and eventually moved to Fort Resolution. Henry was a very dependable man who worked to provide for his family. He used a traditional lifestyle of hunting and trapping as a means of survival, and he was a very wise and humble man. He may have lived a hard life, but he did it with a smile...

Mr. Speaker, the cost of energy is one of the leading contributors to the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories. Wherever possible, our government has been seeking opportunities to pass savings to our residents, and today I can report that the ongoing low wholesale price for heating fuel and gasoline has made it possible for the Department of Public Works and Services to pass on savings to residents in two of our smaller communities.

Sixteen NWT communities receive essential fuel products through the department’s Fuel Services Program. On August 17, 2015, the fuel services division...