Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 448-20(1), 2026-2027 Main Estimates, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. And it is early days, and I certainly appreciate that, and I know that the Premier has been engaged with what's happening around the DND investment. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, was the Premier aware that DND were doing a town hall in Inuvik on April 17th? And if so, do we have someone lined up to ensure that we are at that event as well? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year I made a statement on the Canadian Institute for Arctic Security which is located in Whitehorse in the Yukon and what our plan would be, Mr. Speaker, given that this lens that's now on the North. I stress the importance of our territory having a similar voice for issues dealing with all things Arctic sovereignty and security, and now a year later there is most definitely an interest in the Arctic, Mr. Speaker. We are now at a point where we know there is significant funding earmarked for meaningful infrastructure in the two northern operational...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, it's on the town's Facebook website too now so it is a public meeting.

One last question. Given the structure the Premier talked about, what they're looking at -- I get that. They're looking at how -- the one point of contact. Can the Premier commit that if this one point of contact is going to be in Yellowknife that we have a senior position as well attached to that in Inuvik, whether that's an ADM or some senior position, to ensure that decisions being made in that region are being looked at by someone in the region itself? Mr. Speaker, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I said in my Member's statement talking about putting capacity where it's needed most with the amount of infrastructure being brought forward with Inuvik being one of the operational hubs selected. Can the Premier, you know, speak to what, if any, their staffing plan they put together to ensure that we do have certainly boots on the ground there for this important infrastructure? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My questions are around the GNWT contribution for the revenue. And I know we -- myself and others have done Member's statements around the Arctic Winter Games, just ensuring that the games are funded. I know with the decrease in revenues, we've seen some cutbacks. We saw -- snowshoeing, for example, was no longer in there last year, and I know I and others have made statements on that. I just want a reassurance, Mr. Chair, from the Minister, that now we are -- you know, we feel going forward that we are adequately funded for the Arctic Winter Games and that the important...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Roy Sugloo Arena at the Midnight Sun Complex in Inuvik will be loud and proud tonight. The 37th Annual Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Native Hockey Tournament, also known as the IRC Cup, starts today with 12 teams competing in over three divisions.

I would like to thank the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and its affiliated sponsors for sponsoring the event. It brings players and fans from throughout the Inuvialuit settlement region, the Beaufort Delta, the Mackenzie Delta, and beyond. I would like to thank the organizer for this event for their...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And that's certainly good to hear after having to do a supplemental appropriation for it, I think, a couple years ago. I am glad that the department is ensuring that this important -- that the Arctic Winter Games will continue and be successful. So no further questions. I just wanted to follow up on that. Thank you.