Kate Reid

Thank you. And taking a slightly different tact, I want to focus on the upcoming energy strategy that is merging, I believe, with the climate strategy so it's a whole of government strategy that I think is supposed to be released in the parlance of the government soon. Is this work on track? Can you provide a timeline as to when committee will be engaged on the new energy and climate strategy? And, really, when will the public start seeing some of that story to be told? I know I have a lot of anxious energy around seeing that and diving into that topic, and I know I have a lot of constituents...

Thanks. Yeah, no. And I am just very interested in that because I see in Standing Committee on Government Operations an ongoing pressure and tension around making sure that we are making building standards better, making buildings more accessible, but also considering the financial needs of smaller communities. So it's good to hear that particular answer. If the Minister wants to extrapolate any more, that's great. If not, I have another question. I will just go on to that question. It's more of a comment, Mr. Chair.

Under asset management under the facilities and properties line, there is...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I think, you know, there is a healthy amount of skepticism around this project. It is a multi-billion dollar project. It's hard to see how it's a silver bullet. So I think a lot of people will have continual questions until there are those shovels in the ground, so. Has Canada given assurances that they will support this project to completion? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I can. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to ask if asset management would be the appropriate activity to ask questions about building standards. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that. Mr. Chair, the GNWT is receiving $11 million, or a 55 percent increase, for the Taltson expansion pre-construction work. Can the Minister explain how that additional funding will be allocated and what specific activities the funding will support. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yeah, thanks, Mr. Chair. I was just trying to confirm it wasn't more cable work. So thank you for that. Nothing further.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under conservation planning and sustainable livelihoods, there was quite a large difference between the 2025-2026 Mains and the revised estimates, and now in this proposed 2026-2027 Main Estimates, there is a slight reduction to that line item. Can the Minister please explain that variation. It's quite a big swing. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank You, Mr. Chair. Good to know, and nothing further.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Appreciate that detail. I do have a question about the regulatory initiatives that was not touched on earlier by my colleagues. Specifically, I am interested in the Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act regulations. Previously, ECC committed to implementing three to five new waste reduction or diversion programs by 2028, and I am curious if this regulatory project is not on the business plan priorities, whether or not this commitment will be accomplished. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I can understand that answer, but I can only presume that the feds exiting the space, as the Minister just stated, would have been known in advance or was it, indeed, known in advance. It seems like something that you would hope you would know quite a ways in advance, but perhaps I am mistaken. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Perhaps the Minister can clarify.