Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the actual question is whether we're going to see requirements removed or not, it's really not a final decision that rests with me to pass the legislation all on my own. I am going to bring forward the legislative proposal. As I've said, it then goes to committee, and upon committee's recommendation is when the drafting instructions do go out. But I think really what we're getting at here is the time that it does take to craft, firstly, complex legislative proposals; and secondly, to do the drafting instructions for complex pieces of legislation. I mean, the Liquor...

Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling the 20232024 Capital Estimates, which uses a revised approach in budgeting that better aligns the GNWT’s planned spending with actual project delivery. Overall, the proposed capital estimates include $328 million in total spending, comprised of $292.5 million in departmentally managed capital, and $35.5 million for Housing NWT.

Over the last nine years, the GNWT has proposed capital plans averaging $405 million per year but the actual average spend was only $226 million per year. Put simply, the GNWT does not have the capacity to develop all of the...

Mr. Speaker, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 54, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 20222023, be read for the second time.

This bill makes supplementary appropriations for operations expenditures of the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 20222023 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House Bill 54, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 20222023, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Abstain.

(audio)...in the House. Mr. Speaker, I am always very pleased when young residents from Yellowknife South attend the House. And this morning I have young Abigale Unka here in the House, who is my next door neighbour. Also with her, Mr. Speaker, is Dora Unka who I think is almost like a resident of Yellowknife South given how often she is there next door also taking care of my children at times. Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if my colleague can see or not, but I understand young Laila Pegg is also in the House. It's wonderful to have the young people here watching what we do so that they can come...

In favour.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concerns around inflation are not limited to only those on fixed incomes. I'm certainly also hearing from all residents, from the business sector, from the nonprofits concerns around inflation, rising costs, cost of fuel. They are live considerations. I'm well aware. The department's well aware. The government is well aware that these are concerns and that people are worried, and that's quite fair.

At the moment and in light of that, Mr. Speaker, there's certainly not any expectation for tax increases. With respect to tax credits, that's not under...

In favour.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the revenue options paper does get looked at and reviewed every year. I'm not sure that we'll ever get to a point perhaps about bringing all of us as to what should be in there or what it should say. But we do look back at it every year. And there's been changes made, thanks to the feedback that I've received specifically from the MLAs before it goes out.

With respect to this year in terms of revenue forecasts, again, certainly the point is to take into account what's happening in the world at any particular time, including this year where although we may be...