Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This should be brief. We have heard from our fellow colleagues, our honourable colleagues, as they addressed the issues. There are a number of questions that keep popping into my head. From my riding, it is a $39 increase. If we want to go to Edmonton, we have to switch from here onto another plane and then continue on. It is not a direct flight, like some of the other communities. It is a $39 increase. It doesn't sound like a lot, but when you are paying a large amount of money to get on a plane to get out just from Fort Simpson to Yellowknife, it is a factor.

Some of the...

I thank the Minister for his answer. Will the Minister direct his department to look at how tax-based communities come up with their mill rate and then develop their own mill rate to replace the 10 per cent approach presently used by this government?

That is good. We will get to the question. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. My question is: what factors do the Department of Lands use to come up with the rate of 10 per cent to charge on land leases? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Violet Jumbo, a constituent of mine, to the Legislative Assembly. As well, Brad Firth, who I've had the pleasure of working with through my previous job and way back when during our hockey seasons up in Inuvik, so I welcome Brad to the Legislative Assembly. As well Ms. Linda Carter, who is a long-time family friend of my sister and the family, and I welcome her to the Legislative Assembly as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you have heard from my honourable colleagues, today is International Women's Day. Women celebrate this day every year, and encourage everyone around the world to stand up for the equality and freedom for women, as well as their contribution to society.

As I decided on how I was going to recognize this day, I reached out to the regional women's leadership. We spoke about politics, leadership, education, and employment in regard to the equal opportunities for women. As we spoke, I explained that I was looking to recognize at least one woman today.

What I...

I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister tell us: what does the Government of the Northwest Territories do to help the employees' wellness in the workplace?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my colleagues. I have shared these ideas with a number of GNWT employees, including the president of the Union of Northern Workers. I have heard positive support for this approach. I hope the government will give some serious consideration to this proposal. Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions for the Minister of Finance. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to also recognize Emma Amundson from Fort Simpson and welcome her. There's not too many times you get to have family in here; I'd like to welcome Shirley Kisoun here as well. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that answer. I am happy to hear that we are doing some good stuff for our employees. In my Member’s statement, I talked about the potential for providing five wellness days for Government of the Northwest Territories employees. Has the Government of the Northwest Territories looked to this idea, and will they bring it to the UNW?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I spoke about wellness programs and potential wellness days, so I have questions for the Minister of Finance. Can the Minister provide an updated status on the negotiation with the Union of Northern Workers? I know he's made a commitment to meet committee to provide something, but can he give us a general synopsis of this update, please? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.