Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we were quite disappointed to see the federal cuts to the low carbon economy funding that had a significant impact on the Department of Infrastructure and on our energy programs and particularly with respect to the funding that's provided to Arctic Energy Alliance. So it was a significant impact on our budget. We have not -- we don't have other or additional independent funds necessarily to come up with in areas where we could realign. Obviously the department's budgets are under review right now, and certainly I would look forward to answering some...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, there certainly are staff within the division that are working on this from the assistant deputy minister through to folks who -- the director of energy, director of strategic energy initiatives -- I'll probably get his title wrong -- but folks have travelled recently with me to Lutselk'e to attend a steering committee. There -- I mean, when we see under the energy and strategic initiatives conversation benefits, those folks are working on the Taltson initiative.

With respect to money that is used to support the Indigenous governments from the watershed...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left, Steve Loutitt, deputy minister of infrastructure. And on my right, Amy Burt, the director of corporate services.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, first, Mr. Chair, with respect to what this is funding, it is specific to GNWT assets and GNWT infrastructure, so that wouldn't necessarily extend to infrastructure that is specific to a community, a community government infrastructure, or anything owned by an Indigenous government for example. It would really only be infrastructure or for GNWT owned.

A breakdown. I know I have provided with respect when we do the capital planning, we do provide some breakdown by region, including by Tlicho region, but I don't have that here to identify how much of these facilities...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to see the federal government finally extend this to the North. The eligibility is determined by the federal government, by ISED, so we don't have a lot of ability to control that. But it does extend to families who receive is the maximum amount of the child benefit. It also extends to seniors, Mr. Speaker, or seniors who are receiving the maximum amount of their guaranteed income supplement. So with that, Mr. Speaker, that is where we get to 1,870 families or households in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, there was certainly at the time that our main estimates were being prepared still a federal program to support consumer choice than to try to incentivize consumer choice towards energy or EV vehicles. Mr. Chair, what we did commit to in our business plan, and what we are providing, is the corridor so that people can actually charge those vehicles. And I can say that from Yellowknife all the way to the Alberta border and over all the way to Fort Smith, there is, indeed, going to be an EV charging corridor. It will be complete this year and so while I can't...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I fortunately heard the Premier speak about this many times so I feel like I'm in fairly comfortable ground in referencing the work that's happening already in terms of the SCAN legislation and a suite of other legislative initiatives that are under the Department of Justice which is also under the Premier. And, Mr. Speaker, I know that the community policing priorities are an area that both the Premier takes very seriously and I've also heard the commander take very seriously as being an area where he wants to see real movement. So whether it's -- who...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is, indeed, a capital project that I am happy to say, after quite a bit of effort on both sides, Mr. Chair, we do now have contracts in place both for the operations and maintenance as well as to undertake the much waited-for and anticipated capital upgrades. That was -- both of those came in the fall of 2024 which means that by this construction season, we will see the upgrades beginning. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, investing in our roads, bridges, airports, and highways is critical to keep communities connected, improve safety, and support economic growth. Whether it is making sure families can travel safely, helping businesses move goods, or supporting emergency response, strong transportation infrastructure is essential for all Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, crews have already been working across the territory over the last year to improve road conditions and safety. And I have a few examples to highlight:

Highway No. 1, the Mackenzie Valley Highway, received about 39 kilometers of chip seal...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, I mean, yes, so this particular line item that was pointed to is specific to Northwest Territories Power Corporation to help integrate the programs and projects that may exist in communities. But, Mr. Chair, a lot of work does happen in the energy strategic initiatives division with respect to some of the planning. So, for example, the micro hydro that was mentioned earlier, the possibility of SMRs. You know, efforts in that space happen within this division, so the staff that are employed there through this proposed budget are the same staff that would be...