Herb Mathisen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 23, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Yukon is lobbying the federal government to exempt home heating fuel, power generation and the transportation of essential goods from the five per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Dave Ramsay, MLA for Kam Lake, raised the issue three years ago and asked why the NWT was not moving ahead on the approach, considering the ever-rising cost of living.

He said the three territories should be lobbying with a collective voice.

"The population of all three territories combined is only 85,000 - about the same size as a city such as Red Deer," said Ramsay. "It would certainly not impact the federal government's bottom line much if they took a serious look at exempting the three Northern territories from paying the GST."

Premier Floyd Roland said he had been in contact with Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie about the issue, and it would come up again in the future.

Protected species act

Michael Miltenberger, minister of Environment and Natural Resources, introduced the draft of a proposed species at risk act to the legislative assembly, Tuesday.

The act was put in place to allow residents of the NWT involvement in the management, protection and conservation of its species at risk, said Miltenberger.

"Regulations could also regulate, restrict or prohibit killing, harming, harassing, taking, buying, selling, trading or possessing species at risk. In some cases there may be habitats that are essential to the survival and recovery of a species at risk," said Miltenberger.

"The draft act fulfils a number of GNWT commitments under a national program to protect all species in Canada from becoming extinct as a result of human activity."

The minister said he intends to raise the legislation again during the fall session.

Quote of the week:

"I got promoted on top of that ... too much in one day. I'll move over there later."

Robert McLeod, MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes, jokingly responding to Speaker Paul Delorey addressing him as minister, by mistake. This coming after McLeod heard the Arctic Tern Young Offenders Facility was staying open.

Showing contract budget price means bad deal for GNWT - Hawkins

Last Monday, an MLA called the government's Infrastructure Acquisition Plan a "reference guide" for constituents bidding on government contracts or projects.

Robert Hawkins, MLA for Yellowknife Centre, said the plan lists the budgeted amount devoted for each project, allowing suppliers to bid that maximum budgeted price, with the knowledge of what the government will pay.

He said he has spoken to constituents in the business community who say that what the GNWT's Main Estimates document helps them maximize their bidding opportunities.

Hawkins suggested not publicizing the budgeted amount for projects before receiving bids, as a way of saving money and getting the best deal possible.

Building Canada, one million at a time

Michael McLeod, minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, announced an agreement he signed with the federal government, ensuring the Northwest Territories will receive $185.8 million over the next seven years to support capital projects.

The GNWT will receive $26.5 million each year.

McLeod said $140 million has already been devoted to "critical transportation" needs across the NWT, like the Kakisa River bridge replacement, a Kam Lake bypass road in Yellowknife and a Tuktoyaktuk gravel source road.

"$6.5 million per year of this funding (will be) available to community governments to support their infrastructure needs," said McLeod.