Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to receiving that back.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask about the North of 60 mining tax credit that's been advocated by this government, that's been advocated by other northern governments and by our industry. We don't have the capacity to carry such a credit. The federal government would have to do it. Can -- I'm not sure who, either the Premier or the Minister of ITI -- inform us of is this still -- the creation of a North of 60 tax credit still a priority for our federal engagement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the Minister spoken to industry or done analysis of why those funds aren't able to be accessed and bring policy reforms to correct that so we can get all the money out the door? Thank you.

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. And, I mean, I'm going to respectfully disagree with the Premier. I mean, the findings were that the existing system proved ineffective during a large-scale disaster and that the system's not agile enough to deal with these things. And we have to take it on face value that the actions taken from then to now have actually resulted in all these improvements and we don't need anything else. Northerners want to see some movement on this. So will the Premier reverse this decision, accept the recommendation, and explore creative ways to bring a centralized response agency or...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the structure of the GNWT, including the establishment policies for departments, rests with the Premier's office, as did the after-action report that was commissioned by TSI. We've been talking about the recommendation to create an emergency -- a dedicated emergency services agency. It could also be done by way of department. We've had conversation about this. But before rejecting that recommendation, did anyone involved with this on the government side of this report do the analysis of how we could cost-effectively create a new agency from our existing...