Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the Minister for that. I understood that there was going to be an action plan developed to move us towards the new model, and of course that new model does not leave any of the small communities behind; they're going to be protected in that, and that's what the municipal funding review concluded and everybody accepted. When are we going to see that action plan move us towards the new model? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank Madam Scrooge. She is going to bring the plan forward and it will contain the capital needs for 911, that's great. Is the Minister prepared to look at a supplementary appropriation to get this work started in 2018-2019 rather than wait for 2019-2020? Thanks, Mr. Chair

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess I want to follow up on some of the questions that my colleagues have asked. First off, on 911, did I hear the Minister say then that the capital costs associated with that are not going to happen until 20182019? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Let's talk about muzzling, I guess, but I do not really feel a lot of reassurance by that response. I pointed out the inconsistencies between the principles of the policy and how it may operate in the future. Given those problems that I have pointed out in this House, can the Minister commit to bringing forward the policy to his Cabinet colleagues in an expedient fashion and consult with Indigenous governments to make revisions to ensure public confidence, transparency, and the spirit of reconciliation are maintained?

Thanks to the Minister for that information. Of course, I'm glad that section 35 rights, our government respects them, but we've also supported in this House the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Can the Minister commit to review the Project Assessment Policy to fully incorporate the concept and practice of free, prior and informed consent?

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to recognize three of the nursing and social work students from my riding, in the gallery: Jennifer Pitt, Meagan Shuparski, and Samantha Heatherington. I would also like to recognize two dear friends and former residents of the Northwest Territories, Chris O'Brien and Deborah Molvasie, who are joining us in the gallery, as well. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't have any further questions. I want to thank the Minister and her witness for answering all my questions really well. Thank you.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't have to bother the Minister anymore then about that one with Christmas analogies. I'm sorry; I didn't really follow the discussion about what level of funding is actually contained in here. There's been no increases whatsoever for the municipal capital funding in this budget over last year; is that what I heard?

Because in last year's budget, as I recall, I think there was a small, maybe it was a 2 per cent increase or something, but there was a gain for municipal governments in the capital budget last year, so this is the exact same funding they got last year or has...

Merci, Monsieur le President. Since the middle of June the Northern Frontier Visitors' Centre has been closed. The numbers tell the client service story: 725 visitors served in July of this year versus 3,018 the previous year. The City of Yellowknife is stepping in on a temporary basis until March 2018, but what's the plan for a vigorous interim arrangement that will carry us through until a new permanent visitors' centre can be opened? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister for the commitment of millions of dollars across the Northwest Territories. I pointed out that there are three visitors' centres elsewhere that were created with our funds, GNWT funds, including work like leasehold improvements in Dawson City, $1.8 million in construction costs, but what's being done here in Yellowknife?

Doesn't Yellowknife deserve at least equal treatment for a year-round operation? Will the Minister begin work now to commit a proportionally equivalent amount of money to the construction of a permanent visitors' information centre...