Robert C. McLeod

Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that there is a team that is flying in to do an inspection and determine the next steps. I would assume that cost would be the next step and then, once the costs are determined, then I would assume they have a discussion with the insurance company as to see what would be covered.

Once we have that more detailed information, I will share it with committee if it is their wish.

Mr. Speaker, we are monitoring what the other jurisdictions across the country are doing. We will continue to do that. As I said before, we haven't signed the MOU yet. We are still working with Ottawa, but again, I go back to the point that Ottawa is going to implement this regardless what the other jurisdictions are doing. They will implement. They will have their fight with the other jurisdictions. I just want to be sure that our territory is ready, that when the date comes to implement carbon pricing, we are ready for it, and if there are any benefits to be gained from it while mitigating...

Mr. Speaker, the federal government, that was their original intent, was to try to curb people's behaviour so not to contribute to climate change. They came up with the carbon price tax.

We, in turn, had to make some adjustments to try and minimize the impact that it was going to have on the people of Northwest Territories. The intent was to curb people's behaviours so that there's less greenhouse gas emission, but I think even the federal government realizes that, in the Northwest Territories, and we used the word 'uniqueness' a number of times, our situation is a little different. We have had...

Mr. Speaker, as much as I agree with the Member on the importance of employment in the small communities and I think, through a number of the different programs that the Government of the Northwest Territories offers as part of infrastructure goes, I think we have seen an example through the small community employment fund through the rural and remote committee, there was someone there that was allocated for some employment opportunities and in small communities, but I don't believe that's a particular one that was factored in with the prioritizing of projects. I don't even know if it should...

There is a 20year capital plan that most departments have. There is an overall 20year capital plan, and then there is a fiveyear capital plan. There are a number of projects that could get on these plans, but sometimes the plans change. If they find that there is another facility or a building that is unsafe for the occupants, then that might take priority over one that is on the fiveyear capital plan. That may get pushed back a bit. I think we all, that have been around in this building for a while, have seen that, where plans get pushed back a bit because of other circumstances.

That would be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update Members on our fiscal and economic situation and some of our ongoing challenges.

When I presented the 2018-2019 budget in February, I noted the progress we had made towards our fiscal strategy but also described our revenue challenges, with total revenue for 2018-2019 expected to be about $120 million less than 2016-2017 revenues. This decline in revenue over a two-year period has presented an enormous challenge for our government. We have met that challenge through careful management of expenditure growth, while...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled "Report on the Staff Retention Policy for 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018." Pursuant to section 64(2) of the Liquor Act, I wish to table "Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board 64th Annual Report 2017-2018;" and pursuant to section 27(4) of the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan, I wish to table "Northern Employee Benefits Services (NEBS) Pension Plan Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the insurance is expected to cover some of the costs associated with equipment failure, including the need to increase diesel consumption. We do have sufficient backup there, diesel and hydro backup to keep the unit operating.

Again, this just happened, I believe, Monday or just recently. Tuesday, October 9th, it just happened, so we are just in the process of doing an inspection and determining what associated costs might be tied to the failure. Again, as soon as we have those numbers or estimates of numbers and what it may cost, we will share that with committee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, looking after the best interests of people in the Northwest Territories is what this government is all about. The impact on electricity cost is not known at this time. Any impact on NTPC cost is expected to be mitigated by the insurance claim.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 22, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructures Expenditures), No. 2, 2018-2019, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.