Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories made a mandate commitment to develop a territorial climate change strategy that takes into account northern energy demands and the cost of living, while reflecting international and national commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Last year on May 1st, the Government of the Northwest Territories released the 2030 Northwest Territories Climate Change Strategic Framework. This is our government's coordinated, comprehensive response to mitigating and adapting to climate change, outlined in the following three goals:

Transiti...

Very deeply, Mr. Chair.

The Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway was a great project and was well-received. Being up in the Beau-Del at times, being on the highway, I see the number of people who are on it, the number of people who are going to Inuvik, actually, to do a lot of their shopping, and I am sure it has reduced their cost of living because they are picking up things in Inuvik. As far as the overall cost of living in the community itself, I do not have that information at my fingertips. However, I will commit to the Member that we will compile some information and share it with the Members. It's important to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Finance will rise and respond to the Member's questions. The GNWT has met with the federal government on Nutrition North Canada on both the ministerial and official levels on numerous occasions. Most recently, officials have been engaged in discussions around work to make the program more efficient and transparent. The NWT representative for the Nutrition North Advisory Board on this program is a nutritionist from the Beaufort Delta who is well-placed to provide perspective on the needs of Northerners.

That is a very timely question. The GNWT recognizes the importance that our government can play on influencing the market for the goods and services that we procure. Following engagement conducted in 2017-2018, ENR worked closely with the communities on the development of an NWT waste resource management strategy. The strategy is anticipated to be released in the coming month. As part of this strategy, goal number four focused on actions to greening government. Greening government means making decisions about what we buy, how we manage our assets, how we run our business to reduce greenhouse...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated before, we have seen the effects of climate change, especially up in the Beau-Del, long before the rest of the country, and I do believe that we are getting to the point where it is becoming a crisis. We see that. I have said before that, in the Delta, we see ground falling into the water. You look around in the Beaufort and Tuktoyaktuk at the erosion on the shore there; that demonstrates the effect that climate change is having on the North. We recognize that.

The short answer to the Member's question is: yes, I do believe that this is serious enough to be...

We recognize that there are a number of other governments and organizations in the NWT with climate change roles. It would be difficult for me, at this stage of this Assembly, to commit the government to a symposium. Through the transition committee and providing some advice to the incoming 19th, I think that we will hear it during the election period that is coming up; the election is on October 1st. I think that we will hear a lot of concerns about climate change, and I am sure that potential candidates who are running will be telling the constituents their plans for how to deal with this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and we appreciate the fact that the students are here voicing their concerns about climate change. It is something that we in the North have faced for a long time before the rest of the country. Before it became flavour of the day, we were feeling the effects of climate change, particularly in the Mackenzie Delta, where I am from. We see banks falling into the river. I would hate to come to a point someday where we walk across the river because there is so much sediment in the water.

I appreciate the work that they are doing. They are obviously very passionate about it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Report of Special Warrants Issued (March 15 to May 22, 2019)." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

There are many initiatives across the GNWT that help address food insecurity. A few of these include, obviously, income assistance to those who require it and are eligible, including funds for food. This is part of a variety of programs that help offset the cost of living, like public housing and the cost of living credit. Through the northern wellness funding, many communities are delivering school-based meal programs, elders' lunches, meals on wheels, hosting collective kitchens for young families, and providing good-food boxes for families in need. Nutrition North Canada's nutrition...