Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was going to support looking at it to move to January 1st. However, we see this in writing, and it says September 1st, and, in my small communities, our elders and our seniors are already seeing an impact on the seniors' heating subsidy program. We have changed it to a monetary value, which reduces the amount of fuel we can put in the community, into their homes. I have residents who presently have to fill half a tank. They cannot even fill the full tank because of the cost of living on this, so I cannot chance what could be to what the reality is. As of September 1st...

The Minister actually answered my next question, so I will go back to the first question. The question I asked is: what is the percentage? Is it 20, 25 percent for a northern manufacturing company? Is that what they are allowed, additional cost to it?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I regret to inform that Floyd Daniels passed away on Sunday, August 18th, at the University Hospital in Edmonton after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Floyd was born December 16, 1956, to Beatrice and Victor Daniels in Fort Smith. Floyd retired March 2017 after a long, committed, and dedicated career with the Department of Public Works with the GNWT. Floyd was a journeyman carpenter for many years, then he and the family decided it would be a good idea to go back to school to get his Project Management diploma from NAIT.

His career took Floyd and his...

Thank you. I thank the Minister for his answers moving forward. My last question is basically: we are seeing a lot of southern companies come in and take contracts from northern companies. Has the department or the government looked at making sure that they have a socio-economic impact and economic multipliers as part of it because right now, when we see money, southern companies get contracts? That money is going down south with limited money staying back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Since this could be part of the tender process or tender contract, how does the department ensure that part of this is actually being followed by the contractors?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Minister providing the answers to us here today. I realize the Minister thinks that the BIP policy is probably one of the best policies that the Government of the Northwest Territories ever created. I would have to agree. It is a great policy in the original state. However, it has been changed to what some northern contractors that I have talked to don't think is a great policy, and we are seeing more and more southern companies come north and taking away contracts and jobs. Will the Minister be willing to look at the policy that was originally in...

I am hoping the Minister can share that with me when he gets it together. Mr. Speaker, the Minister also quoted, "I have a lot of opportunities to speak to different people about BIP." Has the Minister spoken to northern contractors, specifically those in the southern part of the NWT, about their concerns regarding the new way the Business Incentive Policy has been implemented?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Robert Bouchard, a fellow Hay Riveran. He did recognize me in the House, and now I'm returning the favour. Welcome to the House, one of the Fab Five, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Development has reviewed Bill 45: Corrections Act. Mr. Speaker, committee wishes to report that Bill 45 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I guess that will lead me to my next question. What happens if the contract does not fulfill the commitments that they say they are doing in the contract?