Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is unfortunate; I didn't want to have to stand up and speak and have to defend a $410 million capital budget that provides opportunities for folks across the Northwest Territories, especially in a lot of the smaller communities.

I have heard some of the concerns. I do recall sitting before committee on a number of occasions with this particular appropriation, plus others that we had been working on. To say that there was no input from committee I think is misleading the public. To say that this is a budget that doesn't seem to address the municipal gap, it is good...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 61, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2020-2021, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The quick answer to the Member's question is there is $120 million in carry-overs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Member's comments. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to get some of these projects to the shovel-in-the-ground stages, but we will continue to work with the Aboriginal governments and the people who that affects the most. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes.

We're good.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board 65th Annual Report 2018-2019"; "Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission 65th Annual Report"; "Annual Report 2018-19 of the Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation & Northwest Territories Power Corporation," and "Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1 to June 30, 2019) Pursuant to Section 74 of the Financial Administration Act." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, thank you. We appreciate the Member's comments. In all the years that I've been here, I've had an opportunity to travel to all 33 communities; I've seen some of the infrastructure in a lot of the communities, and the schools and that, and some of them, all they want is a nice building where they can send their children to focus, as the Member said, focus on their studies. Sometimes you have to be without something to really appreciate things when you actually do get them or you have them, so we continue to work and try to provide for all the people in the Northwest Territories. Thank you...

Before I respond to the Member's question, the first question on the funding, there is significant funding coming from Canada as part of their agreements with the local Aboriginal governments on the federal portion of the park, and the $290,000 is on our portion of the park. They will be significantly funded, and it is going to help with the work going on in the park in the future.

ENR is working towards establishing a new website registry early in the life of the next Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Looking after our children is a priority of this government and every community in the Northwest Territories, and if there are options there for providing good, safe daycare day homes for them, then we will partner with those communities, as I said before. This information was provided in the form of a letter to the Committee of Priorities and Planning. Thank you, Mr. Chair.