Rylund Johnson

Yeah, Mr. Speaker, that wasn't an answer. I just want to know whether  like, are we at a $2 billion ballpark? A $3 billion? I mean, hydro projects have really gone over budget in almost every other jurisdiction in Canada. The 2014 business case is entirely built on the idea of selling to the diamond mines, our energy strategy and our emissions reductions is entirely built on replacing the diesel from the diamond mines. I don't believe what the Minister's talking about involves that but that's not public. So can I just confirm whether any of this work is about being a transmission line and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago the GNWT had a great idea. That was to expand the Taltson Hydro Project, connect the North and South Slave region, and sell power to the upcoming diamond mines. And, Mr. Speaker, if we did that, it's pretty clear that the Taltson Hydro Project would have paid for itself and then some, as the diamond mines use a lot of power, Mr. Speaker, more than the entire territory combined. Yet, Mr. Speaker, here we are 30 years later and we have not built the Taltson Hydro Project and, seemingly, every single year the business case has gotten a little worse. So bad, in...

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I get that perhaps the desire to negotiate Indigenous procurement policy, which could potentially affect all areas of procurement, has, you know, paused some of that other work. I guess perhaps a review of a new work plan that clearly will take beyond the life of this Assembly of what is being done and when would be helpful. There was some recommendations about negotiated contracts policy in the procurement review. Some are small, some are larger about setting targets, some are about reporting. I'm a little confused what's being done there, or whether that...

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, I worry that this is going to get caught in negotiations and hopefully by the next Assembly, we'll have an Indigenous procurement policy. But I'm hoping for a clear yes on the business incentive policy. The work plan is pretty clear that in the life of this government, we are going to revise the definition of a northern resident, and we are going to increase BIP thresholds for tenders and RFPs.

Can the Minister provide us an update about whether that work to finish the BIP review will and amend the BIP policy will be done in the life of this Assembly...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I grow increasingly concerned that the procurement review is never going to end, Mr. Speaker, and I don't mean in a good way, that will continue to review our policy and make sure we are improving procurement for the residents. I mean that we will never actually complete it and change the policies that define GNWT procurement. And this isn't just a suspicion, Mr. Speaker. In the GNWT's own work plan, they say by the end of this Assembly they will identify potential policy mechanisms to support enhanced Indigenous procurement. Mr. Speaker, what this should read is that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the procurement review, there was a couple sections on leasing, and then the procurement review panel said that the GNWT should look into whether there was a different approach to leasing, and then the Department of Infrastructure kind of took that as we can't do any work until the procurement review is done. But I don't actually believe the procurement review is changing anything with leasing. I could be mistaken. But can the Minister let me know whether there is any intention to change any of our leasing policies related to procurement in the life of this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the start of this Assembly, there was a lot of talk about an Indigenous procurement policy, and then the feds, they stepped up, and they created some targets for Indigenous procurement and as well as the Yukon, and we kind of seem to fall apart on that. And now our plan says we're going to identify some potential solutions and maybe get this work done. I'm actually a little confused whether we will have a clear Indigenous procurement policy in the life of this government. So my questions for the Minister of Finance is where we are at in regards to creating an...

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories set up a policy and a plan to display more Indigenous language signs before the 19th Assembly ends;

And further, the policy should require all new signs at all territorial public bodies and community governments to prominently feature the local Indigenous official language;

And furthermore, the plan should set targets and offer funding for new Indigenous language signs. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To clarify, once oral questions is concluded, I am more than happy to go back to anything but returning now ends the time on the clock and I am going to use it.

My question, Mr. Speaker, is for Minister of ITI. We have been waiting years for a new procurement policy that will finally give us a new definition of northern business and hopefully that definition you will remove Walmart from BIP. When are we going to see that definition? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories work towards increasing participation of Indigenous students in all programs, grants and contributions focused on youth by advertising the availability for youth development and making it known in small communities; creating recruitment campaigns in small communities so youth can participate in existing programs and apply for positions; have an advocate for youth and students in each department; creating and tracking hiring targets in all communities for Indigenous youth seeking public service...