Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize my friend and former colleague grand chief Jackson Lafferty. It's nice to see you here today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 8th, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Deh Cho, that this Legislative Assembly resolve that the Commissioner cause an inquiry to be made into the 2023 wildfires pursuant to the Public Inquiries Act;

And further, that this resolution include the Commissioner establishing a board composed of four persons appointed by the Commissioner to make the inquiry and to report on the inquiry to the Commissioner;

And furthermore, that the Commissioner receive...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I suppose if Northerners have already received their rebates, this isn't going to make a difference. If our system's already taking care of home heating fuel carbon taxes, why are we exempting this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to return to carbon pricing and the home heating exemptions. So the Minister said that there's no need to backdate the exemption because residents have received their rebates. So can the Minister confirm that a hundred percent of the fuel charge related to home heating fuel related to the carbon tax in the Northwest Territories is being rebated to Northerners, a hundred percent? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And in the interest of fairness and equity, as this exemption has been enjoyed by Canadians outside of the Northwest Territories since November of last year, will the Minister backdate the exemption to November of last year and pass those savings along to our constituents who are paying a lot during the coldest months of the year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on November 8th of last year, the federal government exempted home heating fuel as part of their carbon pricing regime for three years. The NWT has not made those changes yet but has made public statements committing to that. Can the Minister of Finance tell us will home heating fuel be exempt. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this House on behalf of my constituents to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and communities affected by the recent tragedy that took place in Fort Smith. This accident came as such a shock for what felt like just another ordinary day to a flight of such dedicated northern workers who have passed away so suddenly who were simply on the job or heading back to work. They were pilots, mechanics, truck drivers, talented young diverse workers whose strength powers our territory towards shared opportunity and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, we are poorer as a...

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to start our first sitting, at least from my point of view, with some good vibes. I think we all had a long day yesterday but it's great to see we have a new Executive Council in place and Regular Members who are finding their roles to provide accountability and oversight for the next years of governance. And I want to congratulate Premier-elect and the Cabinet-elect.

I too would also like to thank my constituents. It's a joy to be back in the Legislative Assembly speaking for my friends, my family, and my neighbours, my neighbourhood, and being...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the Member for Hay River North, the Honourable R.J. Simpson, is hereby chosen to be Premier of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.