Kieron Testart

Thank you. So -- and I do know that, and it is volunteer driven, and I want to commend the volunteers who do this work in our communities and recognizing the award that was given today. That's great to the recognition from the department as well so I commend the Minister and his department for that. But I have been in contact with the Yellowknife Ground Search and Rescue Team, and there are some concerns here that are concerning, to say the least.

Right off the bat, I mean, they had funding for training, around $5,000 -- which isn't very much money -- that was cut, and I'm wondering if that...

Thank you. Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. So you've -- so the -- is this part of the sustainability exercises? Thank you.

Thank you. And is this a defined contribution, or is it a -- is it something more like core funding? Thank you.

Thank you. Sorry, can the Minister just confirm, an implementation plan? Oh, incremental plan. Okay, can I understand what that means. Because it's gone from -- sorry, I said $50 million. It was $150 million, but our understanding was to be $50 million a year. That sounds incremental to me. Is it not that; is it something else? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I support the motion under consideration by the House -- or by the committee. The Member, I think, has laid out the rationale for it quite eloquently which is we're all very aware that this decision was made unexpectedly. Well, not -- the decision was made unexpectedly but the rationale behind the decision has been known I think to the college, to the Minister, to the department for quite some time. But the timing of it was, of course, surprising to this House and to the department. So when we see something like that, I think it's -- we have to be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is the Minister -- I'm kind of spitballing ideas here. But is the Minister aware of any federal funding pots that this would be eligible for? The city's receiving $25 million right now. Is there something that the department could help them access more money working with MACA, whoever it needs to be, but could we break down some silos and get the city some money so we can complete this project? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is one we should be spending -- we should be fulfilling our commitments to communities to 100 percent. But this is an extraordinary cost that's well beyond what the city can afford to pay. Every year it gets more expensive. Will the Minister find a way to work with his Cabinet colleagues, with the city of Yellowknife, with the NWTAC, with the federal government, with everyone who has a cheque book, and get the city the money it needs so we can have safe, clean drinking water for half of our residents in this territory? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is something that's been troubling our community for quite some time, and the Yellowknife River water pipeline that's been built since '68 has been in dire need of replacement for a number of years. In 2017, when I served this Assembly previously, it was pegged at $34.5 million. Last year, it was $62.7 million. This year it's now $107 million. Our city cannot afford this pipeline. Our residents deserve safe drinking water. Can I ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs how is he supporting the city of Yellowknife in completing this important...

No, thank you, Madam Chair.