Jane Weyallon Armstrong

How can you say equitably? Because, you know, these small communities, we don't have a lot of infrastructures. You know, we provide services, but we don't have a lot of service -- infrastructures. Like Wekweeti, you know. So -- but it's good. It's good information, and I think I have an idea too of what Tlicho are doing, community government, our Tlicho government, so I'll leave it there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in July 2024 the government announced improvement to the income assistance program that resulted in increased benefit levels and income exemptions and reduced barriers to accessing the program. What step is the department taking to align income support with employment and training programs so that recipients are encouraged, not penalized, for pursuing work or education? Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. For regional operation, MACA, you know, for 2026-2027, it's $32 million and in Tlicho region, we're growing. With the all-season road community, Whati is going to be expanding. Behchoko is expanding. We're building a subdivision. And it means that we're building subdivision so our community, it's growing, and we're going to be needing more infrastructure, water, sewer, you know, and we're going to be getting a new school. So we are getting ready.

So with that in mind, like, I mean, community government is public. Public government. But we're within the land...

For page 74?

Thank you. I wasn't asking for a list; I don't want to know everything. But I just want to know what it is. That's all I asked you. Okay. So that information was good enough, okay.

And then another one too -- yeah, for sports, recreation, and youth for 2026-2027, it's a small capital projects because I know there's a cutback in that area. So what's this 51 represent, capital estimates for 2026-2027?

Okay. I represent four communities, so I would like to get information for all four of them. Thank you.

Okay, we're on page 76. Well, I think we can still go back to it.

Thank you. Thank you for the answer, and I will follow up with an email. So I will do -- yeah. Well, we talked already on other stuff, so.

And, you know, I know -- I did a Member's statement on hospital before. You know, we used to have a hospital in Behchoko. We had a hospital in Edzo, the cottage hospital. So I know that right now we have quite a few patients that goes from my community, and from other community as well, to go to Yellowknife. Like, for example, the dialysis and other treatment as well. And sometimes it's hard on people to travel back and forth. You know, go in one...

Thank you. The program as currently structured is inadequate given that natural disasters and the potential for community evacuations are unpredictable. Meanwhile, the cost for accommodations, grocery, gas, and other essentials continue to rise. Even until this day, like many of our private businesses and citizens from forest fire 2023 are still affected, recovering financially. So with that in mind, will the Minister commit to a review of this program to ensure that in the future it is more flexible and equitable, especially for small communities? Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can I go to page 42? Or is it from 42 to -- okay, good. Okay, then thank you, Mr. Chair. For 2026-2027, large capital projects, you know, 2024-2025 was 21, and then it went up, and then 2025-2026 was 44. If the Minister can explain why there's a reduction for 2026-2027 for large capital projects, on page 42.