Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the Nunavut exchange of services, I note that fluctuated between 2014-15 and 2015-16, around $1 million and now it’s back to a similar ratio. Could the Minister speak to that fluctuation and what those exchange of services are? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We’re cutting the library to save costs, but this new resource centre’s going to cost money as well. Is there any idea of how much this resource centre is going to cost in terms of online subscriptions, in terms of computer hardware, and other equipment that’ll be needed for it? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve often criticized this government for gloom and doom. It’s good to hear hope from the other side of the House. Can we get a commitment, though, rather than just hopes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that it is a very costly project that doesn’t have the same benefits of, say, a hospital or a road so being fiscally prudent on capital certainly. We’re standing alone, I think, for the wrong reasons in some areas. I know the department sent a letter to the law society informing them of the change. Were other governments consulted in their library usage statistics because I wonder if we are alone in this decline? My sense would be that other jurisdictions, if the Minister is correct that major law firms are shutting their legal libraries down, perhaps it is...

Has the Minister reached out to other jurisdictions and learned what they are doing with open government policies? I know that the federal government has made a commitment to having open government policy by next year.

Thank you. I certainly appreciate the Department of Justice being responsive to the concerns of committee. Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, year on year, corporate tax revenue has shrunk. I think that sends a signal that we are losing investment. Measures like this send a clear signal that the North is open for business, and we aren’t drawing much from our small tax, our small taxes anyway. It’s a sacrifice that will result in economic growth. It’s supported by many in the Northwest Territories, including our business community. I’d like the Minister to give a firmer commitment that it will be in the business plan for the fall sitting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m just a little confused to see wilderness programming under corrections as a contribution. I just asked a question about contract services under community justice and policing and was told that that increase was wilderness camp funding. If the Minister could just clarify? Thank you.

Not sure if that was a clear commitment to the recommendation, but I appreciate that the Minister’s speaking about developing approach. Can I take that to mean that by the next budget, Mr. Speaker, we will have a small business tax cut continued in that budget?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under contract services, there is an increase this year. Could the Minister provide some detail on the additional expense and what we are contracting? Thank you.