Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, this summer Yellowknife's down to one vet, which means for pet owners, there's one vet in the Northwest Territories, apart from people who fly in to do work, largely brought in by the SPCA. There's some vets who work for ECC, I believe, who do wildlife work. So is the Premier offering to use our veterinary technical experts in the department to offshore this should the SPCA fold its doors because it can't pay the bills and they have no more funding to operate these essential services? Because I'm not hearing any other solutions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize three pages from the Range Lake riding: Ava Fuentes, Hayden Purcka, and Matthew Sison. I had lunch with them and yourself, Mr. Speaker, and it was lovely. They reminded me of what the Pythagoras theorem is, which I had forgotten. So thank you for that. We don't use math as much perhaps we should, at least that complicated. But I can still read a budget.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize Tom McLennan who is a Yellowknife city councillor. Thank you for taking an interest today, and thank you to the pages for their hard work for our sitting.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reason I asked whether or not different options than just a full agency were done is because we've done this before. We have the Department of Infrastructure that's Transportation and Public Works. We have the Department of Finance that's Finance and HR. We've amalgamated departments to find cost savings. So what if we take justice and public safety? I don't want to ask a hypothetical. But were alternative options explored in how we could amalgamate existing resources to provide a dedicated department or agency, whatever you want to call it, but to meet...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Premier transmit that to the SPCA as well, that that commitment's been made, that that work will be ongoing and the SPCA will be involved in those discussions so they are not left waiting to see where this work is going? And thank you to the commitment. I think that's progress. But I think the SPCA needs to be a partner for this discussion just as they were during the evacuation. They were a partner back then; they can be a partner today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year, or this fiscal year, the SPCA was given $13,000 from the NGO Stabilization Fund, which is under the Office of the Premier. Can the Premier find a way to provide more funding to this vital organization as if it ceases to function, we will have a big problem in a lot of communities, in particular small communities who don't have access to veterinary services, and this is an important and, I believe, a very critical service for communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, every time the SPCA comes up in the context of funding and the services they provide for the community, I see an overwhelming tide of support from my constituents and from across the Northwest Territories. There was a news story just yesterday about dire funding straits for the SPCA. This is a matter that's been -- I've risen in this House, I've risen in committee. It's certainly something that's of mind to Northerners.

I'd like to ask the Premier why the SPCA is not considered a critical service as it relates to funding NGOs given the important work they do...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can't help but feel that the first day back in the House is like the first day back to school. But unlike school children, our work as Members doesn't stop for the summer, and warmer days bring more extreme weather events driven by climate change. Even though Northerners are the toughest people in the world, we are still recovering from the collective trauma of the 2023 wildfire crisis. But what isn't recovering is our constituents' trust in this government.

We were forced from our homes, separated from our families, and the emergency management system was...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first responders are the courageous men and women who go to work every day to put their lives on the line to keep us safe when we need it the most. This bill aims to create the most comprehensive workers' compensation coverage for firefighters in Canada by covering all types of cancer and heart disease.

The bill also gets rid of latency periods for these diseases and makes the sole requirement employment for two years in a fire department.

The bill also applies to full-time, part-time, and volunteer firefighters. The 24-requirement for presumptive coverage...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Statement of Consistency for the First Responders Workers' Compensation Amendment Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 6 on the order paper, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Thank you.