Robert C. McLeod

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. I will refer that to Mr. Kalgutkar.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, at this particular point, all of it is being used to account for past growth in the operations of the Liquor Commission. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the increase, as I said before, it hasn't been increased since 1990. An external auditor recently recommended an increase to the authorized limit, so this particular amount is not specifically ear-marked for cannabis, though I'm sure, during the operations of the Liquor Commission, that would have an effect on it. Thank you.

I would, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2018-2019, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for operation expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2018-2019, be read for the third time, and Mr. Speaker, I would request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2018-2019, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, as I responded to the chair of government operations, once we have more information and more detail to share on the path going forward, then we will provide committee with an update. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The federal government has contracting authority on this project, and they have awarded the contract to Parsons Canada. The benefit of having a main construction manager is that the delivery of the project is broken down into smaller work packages, which maximizes local opportunities for Indigenous and northern business. Using this approach, there are a number of contracts related to the project presently out for award. Once these contracts are awarded, we should have an indication on how the socioeconomic benefits are rolling out for Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding is that our officials have a meeting with one of the potential suppliers next week. They will be talking about the different strains. Again, when I give committee an update, we will be able to get into further detail once I know more. Thank you, Mr. Chair.