Steve Norn

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to share some remarks regarding the ongoing situation on COVID-19, and I just want to add a little bit to what my colleague from Nunakput has already said regarding that. It is a pandemic, yes, and we need to be proactive as a government. I want to remind everybody, the general public, that there have been zero confirmed cases of this virus in the NWT to date, and officials within the Department of Health and Social Services have remained adamant that the risk of contracting this illness in the NWT remains low because of time. As well, our territory...

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. You mentioned something quickly about official languages. I'm always wanting to be proactive and stuff. I remember we had a very serious incident way up in Sahtu where an elder witnessed something, and there was a big disconnect with the dispatcher for the RCMP. Unfortunately, somebody ended up deceased from that. If we have somebody with one of the official languages call in to 911, how is that call dealt with and how does that process work? When the person calls in, where is the call routed to and how is it dealt with? Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Thank you for the response. I would like to know, too, after hours, where are those calls routed to? That's to the Minister. Marsi cho.

Marsi, Madam Chair, and thank you for those stats. I think I would ask the Minister, too, to give this in writing to standing committee, please.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that this committee defer further consideration of the estimates for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation at this time.

Marsi, Madam Chair, and thank you for the response. I am looking at this a little more, too. I'm reading between the lines here. I just mentioned about barriers such as insurance and land tenure, and I looked at the fuel tank. I know, coming from the insurance background, a lot of risks, when they are assessed by a lot of these insurance companies, if you live in a place like Hay River, Fort Smith, or Yellowknife, the insurance rates are reasonable, and they're really dependent on how close you are to, say, a fire department. If you live in a place like Lutselk'e, or even Detah is considered...

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), 2020-2021 Main Estimates, to include the NWT housing portion, and to address the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that this committee defer further consideration of the estimates for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs at this time. Thank you.

Probably, the biggest question I think I have on here is: in terms of our public institutions, are there any plans in place to close schools, community halls, and other work places?

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Just to follow up a little bit more with my colleague from Yellowknife Centre. I have questions on a surplus. Since the games were cancelled, would any surpluses go back into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, or would they go back into the youth programs? Marsi cho.