Wendy Bisaro

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.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have one comment and one question, I guess. I think the Minister is well aware that as communities accept more and more responsibility for their own affairs, they are also, at the same time, gaining more and more buildings and infrastructure, therefore, more and more costs. This infrastructure budget has remained the same for quite some time, but the responsibilities of communities have grown. This infrastructure budget can’t stay the same forever. So my question to the Minister is: When are communities going to see an increase in the infrastructure budget so...

Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to continue consideration of Tabled Document 107-17(4), NWT Capital Estimates 2014-15. We’d like to start with the NWT Housing Corporation and, time permitting, Municipal and Community Affairs, Public Works and Services, and Health and Social Services. Thank you.

That is what I’m asking. I’m asking for an opportunity for Members who want to hear from you as Minister and from staff, what we are putting forward in this joint group that is developing a response, a federal response. We get briefings all the time, and what I’m asking is for a briefing on what the GNWT is saying at the table where this federal response is being developed.

Will the Minister commit to a briefing to myself, in particular, but to any other Members who wish to attend to know what we are saying at the table with the feds?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. I would like to ask the Minister some questions as a bit of a follow-up to the motion that this House passed the other day with regard to the Giant Mine Remediation Project. I think the Minister is well aware that Members on this side of the House, particularly Yellowknife Members, are very interested in the recommendations from that report and are very interested in knowing what the GNWT is going to say about that report.

So my first question to the Minister is to know from him how...

Okay, I didn’t really hear from the Minister when or if – I hope it’s when – there will be an increase to this infrastructure budget for communities. Is that in the future anywhere? Thank you.