Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to Mr. Moses.

The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted an active and thorough review of this bill. For the first time in the history of the Northwest Territories, the committee held hearings in schools to solicit the views of students. To facilitate discussion and openness, the format was much less formal than a typical public hearing on a bill.

These sessions took place at the Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River, Ecole Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife, Mackenzie Mountain School in Norman Wells, and the East Three Secondary School...

Mr. Chair, I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have one comment, and I just want to say that I’m very glad to see that we are moving forward, finally, on the facility replacement for the Territorial Female Corrections Centre in Fort Smith. It’s been something which is probably three years overdue, so I’m very glad to see that we are moving towards construction beginning in this next capital fiscal year. That’s it. Thanks.

I’m still a bit confused. I appreciate the Minister is talking about the Avens project, but I got the impression the planning study the department is doing is bigger than that. It’s looking at the whole territory. If the department is going to support the Avens project and not any other projects within other communities, that’s fine by me because I know how badly Avens needs to expand, not just for Yellowknife but for other communities as well.

I want to return to the Stanton issue and I thank the Minister for the information, but I know the plans for this project. My concern is the financing...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a comment and a couple of questions. It’s been said before by a number of Members, but I have to say it again, since we are now in the Health and Social Services department, and that is the lack of focus on the renewal project for the Stanton Hospital.

I know that there’s money in this budget, but it’s not going to lead to any significant construction in the near future. I want to reiterate again how important it is that this government find a way to finance this project and that we do it sooner rather than later.

I’m following with interest the back and forth...

Yes, Mr. Speaker. It’s too bad you can’t say that to the Ministers. My last question, Mr. Speaker, has to do with the comment, well, the statement by CFIB about the shortage of qualified labour. Their suggestion is for a training tax credit for small business, and I’d appreciate the Minister’s comment on the feasibility of that for our NWT small businesses.

Thanks to the Minister for answering my second question and ignoring the first, I think. I did ask the Minister what this government has done to help to reduce taxes for small business. Red tape is also an issue, but I’d like to ask him again, is there any intention of this government to help small business by reducing taxes?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to welcome a constituent from Frame Lake who is a Lifeguard for Lodune, and Violca Memedi is here and I would like to specifically welcome all the Lifeguards for Lodune and thank you for your service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is Small Business Week across Canada and specifically I want to acknowledge Small Business Day tomorrow, October 25th. Small business in Canada is defined as having from five to 100 employees, but small business owners represent the best of the Canadian spirit. They are entrepreneurs, innovators, job creators and an integral part of our communities, large and small. From coast to coast to coast, Canadian small businesses help drive local economies and keep our communities strong.

Small businesses with less than 50 employees, including businesses with no employees...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We would like to consider Bills 13, 14, 15 and 16.