Wally Schumann

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't know how many people are going to have opening comments, so we may be repeating ourselves when I respond to each individual Member, but I've taken some quick notes on the Member's comments.

Right off the bat I want to comment on the ATAC fees. We have had a number of questions in the House surrounding that issue. This is something that is done through ATAC; it's a national thing. As I said in the House, we are paying close attention to them negotiating these fees going forward.

There has been a concern, I guess, in the paper or in the press about the amount of money...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that's correct, our leases are considered market rate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, revenues and expenditures are treated separately. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Any pre-sold packages at any of the tourism operators that have already sold will not have an effect with this fee. Once this is passed through the House we want to start July 1st, but anything that has actually been pre-sold before that is at a later date will not be affected by this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, investments in the NWT film sector are growing the strength and diversity of our economy while promoting the unique sights, sounds, and stories of our territory worldwide.

We have made the commitment to support the film industry through investments in skill development, infrastructure, marketing, and communications. We are fulfilling this commitment through the work of the NWT Film Commission and its ongoing implementation of our government's film strategy.

Today, I would like to celebrate some of the successes achieved through our continued work and investment in this area.

I begin...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, they will be. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I said, our focus was very limited. We didn't want to go down there with a number advanced. We've concentrated on energy and highway corridors when we were down there. As I have said, the mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly has the three corridors outlined and our mandate is our priority. We will continue to focus on that. We'll see what the Federal Government comes out with their budget here on March 22nd. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe the Member said, if they caught a different airline when they got to Yellowknife, going south, there would be that additional fee. The AIF would be added on. If it was First Air, say, from Simpson all the way to Edmonton, there would just be the aeronautical fee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I've said in House, one tenth of 1 per cent is the increase of the cost of living. We don't believe that the phased-in approach would make any kind of difference on that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.