Robert C. McLeod

Yes, I would, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, because we would have a vested interest in this particular area, we will work closely, as I said, with our federal counterpart. We will work closely with the community of Paulatuk and then if they determine that it was an area that needs further evaluation then I can see ENR playing a very significant role there because we do, at the end of the day, have to be the caretakers, so it would be to our benefit if we work closely with the federal government and the community of Paulatuk.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Infrastructure Department, as I said in my statements earlier, is one that won't come into effect until April 1st, and the capital budget and the main estimates that we'll be debating in February and March comes into effect on April 1st.

So we're going through that process. The housing in the smaller communities and the Aging in Place; Housing Corporation spends a lot of money trying to keep in their units, the elders especially, as long as possible. There's a number of programs they have. I believe it was five seniors' homes that they built in the last...

Mr. Speaker, when necessary ENR has been providing information and working collaboratively with our federal counterpart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, as far as the amalgamation goes we're not assuming anything. We realize that it's a process that we have to go through called the Capital Planning Process and the main estimates being held in February and March. This is an initiative that, depending on how things go with the main estimate debate, is not going to come into force until April 1st. So the capital budget is not coming in effective until April 1st, and the same with the O and M budget would come into effect April 1st. So it's on those grounds that we bring this initiative forward.

As far as some of...

I do, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, as I said before, we are not the contractor, however we can encourage all the groups that are involved to try and resolve any outstanding issues, because we want this to be a project that's had a lot of positive effect and will have a lot of positive effect. So we'll encourage them to try and resolve their issues and then again, as I said before, I will keep committee apprised as to the proceedings.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to my right I have Dr. Erin Kelly who is the acting deputy minister for Environment and Natural Resources, to my left I have Susan Craig who is the director of finance and administration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the contractor has made great efforts in the Sahtu to make good on many of the outstanding invoices. There might have been a few that fell through the cracks. Apparently there was a meeting in Fort Good Hope and nothing was really raised during the meeting. As a matter of fact, it was quite positive and they were appreciative of the work they have this upcoming winter. I can say that of the $32 million in local spending, employment as long as 2016 the Sahtu has enjoyed the benefits of $21 million in project spending. I can assure the Member and all Members of this House and the...

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding, and I think Mr. Koe pointed it out before, was that this latest upgrade will get us to 2024 and then a determination will be made then what the next steps are. Thank you, Mr. Chair.