Mr. Speaker, this is concerned with all the media regarding the cutbacks. Local community government seldom errs, but they have been asking me to ask: is this going to affect the new deal with these cutbacks?
Mr. Speaker, as we’re aware, there’s been a lot of work done by the department and Department of Community Affairs in building that program and giving more authority and increasing budgets to communities. We haven’t made a decision as to the full impact of decisions we’ll accept as areas of reduction or areas of reinvestment. So at this time it’s difficult to say what impact would be felt in any department at this point. Departments have started their work, started evaluating, have been submitting that back. That review is ongoing at this point.
Mr. Speaker, to the Minister, just to let you know…. I mean, for the riding of Nunakput, we say tough love, but we have it tough enough. Really consider that in your deliberations with your caucus, and remember, not everybody lives in Yellowknife. We live on the Beaufort Sea. And the people…. This is a shortfall to my people, and it’s going to affect everybody.
I didn’t hear a question there. It’s a statement.
question 12-16(2)
Mr. Speaker, I think some of my constituents in the last little while, over the Christmas season…. The issue of the Northern residency tax deduction has come up a couple of times now.
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, when you’re in the opposition party and when you’re proposing a new idea or a new initiative to the party that’s in government, we know that they respond to you like you’re a little mosquito, even if it is a good idea. They sort of say, “Good idea, but shoo!” You know, Mr. Speaker.
So instead of taking up this issue with our MP, who’s actually in the fourth party — or, I should say, our third opposition party — would the Premier consider taking this issue up with the other Northern Premiers, Premier Fentie and Premier Okalik? The fact is we’re going to get a much stronger, clearer voice from a non-partisan perspective brought forward to Ottawa. I wonder if it would be received much more efficiently and effectively if it were done in that type of proposal.
Mr. Speaker, in fact, that work has been done. In my role as Finance Minister I’ve contacted Northern Premiers and then went beyond to other Finance Ministers across the country. At the meeting we had before Christmas with the Minister of Finance for Canada, Minister Flaherty, I put that on the table as well as followed up with a letter to him, and I’m waiting for a response.
Mr. Speaker, it’s pleasant news to finally hear it live, here in the flesh, for the first time. I’d encourage the Premier to make sure he articulates these groundbreaking movements on subjects like this to all Members.
Mr. Speaker, is he also seeking other support from maybe our Senators and other MPs like this? The fact is the Premiers are the big issue. What type of information and support is he really getting from them? Is it one of those “Good idea, but we’ll just sign on so it looks good on the letterhead”? Or is he getting real support, whereas then they’ll break some real ground on this issue?
Mr. Speaker, the fact is…. To focus, we need to put our energy where we’re going to get the results and then working with other Finance Ministers — territorial, provincial — and bringing it to the table of the federal Finance Minister, seeking his input and, hopefully, his support. We’re waiting for his response at that point. It’s my understanding they’re looking at their budget process now.
Well, I’m just going to leave it at that, but I want to highlight the fact that it’s being brought up by a lone opposition member again, in a party that’s not recognized as the Official Opposition, so it’s going to be treated as a far-down priority.
The fact is that we all know there’s a looming potential election coming up, and even if the Conservatives return, it’s a good time to start putting a full-court press on this issue. Maybe we can get some serious commitments in advance of a potential election. It’s good to continue citing or screening this issue toward southern candidates so they realize the difficulty. How many times have we heard about the power rates, the cost of food and whatnot being raised in this House? Would the Premier be willing to crank up the pressure on this issue so it’s on the national agenda?
As I stated earlier, I already approached my Territorial colleagues, and I approached the provincial Finance Ministers. We addressed it at the Finance Ministers’ meeting before Christmas, and I followed up with a letter, so we’re waiting for their response. I’ve been to the federal Finance department to see if they would be looking at it.
As well, for the record, as is pointed out by the Member, we’ve had our MP in Ottawa make mention of this, address it in Parliament. Unfortunately, the result from that process was not a positive one, and I’m not sure if that will have an impact on our approach.
