Shane Thompson

I thank the Minster for his answer. Why isn't the department using the mill rate, like tax-based communities use, instead of using the flat rate of 10 per cent for land leases?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Minister of Lands spoke in his Minister's statement on what the departments have been working on to serve residents, in the way that best reflects the Northwest Territories' interests and priorities. It talks about Lands and bringing the two Lands acts together. One of the things they talked about was reviewing --

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks, colleagues. She believes that, once the right people are in the right positions, Jean Marie River as a small community can be a leading force in all areas of existence, including climate change, energy efficiency, and health.

Mr. Speaker, as part of the regional leadership, Gladys serves on the Dehcho Executive Committee, Dehcho Education Scholarship Committee, and is the president of the Dehcho Helicopters Limited.

Mr. Speaker, this is just one woman from the region. I encourage women to continue to be the fabric of our society and take on leadership roles...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate the Minister's answer. We don't have those connections. We actually have to land here in Yellowknife, switch airlines, and then get on from there. Sometimes, we can get there on First Air, and then land here, and get on another First Air flight. Sometimes we can't do that, so I just wanted to get that clarified. The second one is regard to charters. If we charter from Fort Simpson to our smaller communities, because of costs to get into these communities, how does that fee get collected? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think that clarifies what I was trying to get at in both areas. Thank you, Mr. Chair.