Kieron Testart

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.

Mr. Speaker, today is Pink Shirt Day, an annual tradition where we stand against bullying in all of its forms. Back in 2007, two students bought 50 pink shirts after a younger student Chuck McNeill was bullied for wearing a pink polo during the first day of school. As a father of three amazing kids, I can tell you how important this day is for my family. My family has had to deal with bullying in and out of school, and it never gets any easier, but days like today give us all hope as we call out bullies and remind vulnerable kids that -- and even grownups that it gets better.

It's important to...

So it would still be -- okay. So it would be 150, then, grand total for the life of this Assembly? Thank you.

So what is the estimated or projected or desired value of this incremental plan in dollar amount? Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. So at the beginning of the Assembly -- I think these numbers are correct, but it was going to be -- or a hundred units were funded and were in the works from the 19th Assembly's mandate. When this Assembly started, there were 148 under construction and 364 renovations planned. Are those numbers still accurate? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Last fall during the capital budget discussions, there was an agreement to bring forward a $15 million notional plan for NWT Housing to build new housing units, and that has -- we've been told that that's now become a -- not a notional plan but an actual $50 million plan. So where can I find the $50 million plan in this budget? Thank you.

Thank you to the Minister for that. Can the Minister relay that to the mayor of Yellowknife, just let them know that the tree shaking will begin to commence earnestly to get this project done. Thank you.