Kevin O'Reilly

I appreciate the response from the Minister. I'm not sure I got an answer, though. I guess I'm seeking some assurance that this is a business-as-usual interim appropriation for the first quarter, and that it doesn't reflect any cuts or changes to programs that are offered through Arctic Energy Alliance or energy conservation initiatives that we would do ourselves in-house. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the Premier for that commitment. I look forward to the report. In his statement yesterday, the Premier said the Government of the Northwest Territories is also in the process of developing a strategy to ensure that the federal government understands territorial priorities and sets the groundwork for active partnerships in areas of common interest. The key phrase in this is “developing a strategy.” I’m wondering if the Premier would make the commitment to consult with the Regular Members as he develops this strategy, to help better convey what our...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. There's a lot of eager beavers here today.

---Laughter

While we're on this department, I just want to ask about the first quarter funding for energy solutions, which I believe also includes Arctic Energy Alliance and our own work as a government on energy conservation, energy efficiencies, and so on. I'm just wondering what rough portion we're looking at spending in the first quarter of 2016-2017. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Premier for his response. I guess I was asking the question, though, in the context of this First Ministers’ meeting in Vancouver that he is going down to. I am wondering if he has any specific asks or requests that he is going to be making at that meeting, and if he could share those with the House.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the Minister for that response. Presumably, though, we're looking at engaging folks beyond just the university. We're talking, presumably, the mining industry, environmental organizations, Aboriginal governments, the co-management bodies. All of those would be part of consultations that will take place regarding these guidelines as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mothers-to-be across the Northwest Territories want to have their babies with the assistance of well-trained midwives who are supported by a comprehensive, stable, and well-funded midwifery program in all of the regional centres across the Northwest Territories. For the sake of our young families, I hope the Minister will confirm real progress and certainty on moving forward with midwifery in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's good to hear, and I thank the Minister for his response. I just want to confirm that there's also funding in the first quarter for work to be done on the guidelines of the Minister mentioned in the House, if that wasn’t earlier this week it was last week. I believe that the department is preparing some guidelines. Is there funding in the first quarter for some work on the guidelines? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I presume that's December 31, 2016, then, just end of year. We're talking about a bunch of different years here, so I just want to nail down that end date for this particular program. Thanks.

Thanks, Mr. Chair, and I appreciate the Minister's answer, and I'm satisfied with that. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Now that is starting to make some sense for me. Finally, to close it off then, we are not looking at any substantive change between what we spent in 2015-2016 in the first quarter for income assistance and student financial assistance as opposed to what is being proposed in 2016-2017. Thank you, Mr. Chair.