Kieron Testart

Thank you. I certainly appreciate the Department of Justice being responsive to the concerns of committee. Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, year on year, corporate tax revenue has shrunk. I think that sends a signal that we are losing investment. Measures like this send a clear signal that the North is open for business, and we aren’t drawing much from our small tax, our small taxes anyway. It’s a sacrifice that will result in economic growth. It’s supported by many in the Northwest Territories, including our business community. I’d like the Minister to give a firmer commitment that it will be in the business plan for the fall sitting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m just a little confused to see wilderness programming under corrections as a contribution. I just asked a question about contract services under community justice and policing and was told that that increase was wilderness camp funding. If the Minister could just clarify? Thank you.

Not sure if that was a clear commitment to the recommendation, but I appreciate that the Minister’s speaking about developing approach. Can I take that to mean that by the next budget, Mr. Speaker, we will have a small business tax cut continued in that budget?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under contract services, there is an increase this year. Could the Minister provide some detail on the additional expense and what we are contracting? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Deneen Everett, executive director for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. Thanks for doing all the hard work advocating for small businesses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I asked the Minister some questions about the Mining Incentive Program the other day. We have heard in several statements it is a great program that generates a lot of economic activity in the exploration sector. I also asked if this amount would be increased. I note that it is staying the same in this budget, and the ministry indicated that the long-term plan for the Mining Incentive Program is to expand it. Can the Minister just confirm that that is the department’s perspective of this very successful program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, it would appear the Minister doesn’t have a lot of these details readily available for Members of this House and for members of the public. I would strongly encourage that we resolve this with a real plan for what this research centre is going to look like and communicate this new resource to the public. In fact, when we’re looking for efficiencies perhaps we could find them, but how much money is this going to save in the end, Mr. Speaker? It seems like there’s still a lot of details, but how much money will closing the library save? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the department indicates that it will be replacing the library with a new research centre. Can the Minister give us more detail about what this research centre is going to be all about? Are we talking about a few surplus computers in a dimly-lit room or is this something more substantial? Thank you.