Richard Edjericon

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to recognize Matthew Unka who is also a page here. I want to also recognize all the translators that are here today. It's good to see you guys here again, and all the visitors in the gallery. Welcome. Mahsi.

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the bill, at this time, there's no -- there's nothing there for my small communities from the 19th and 20th Assembly. I got a letter that was brought in with all my issues. Two years in this mandate, I don't see anything there. And March of this year, I brought it up. But anyway, Mr. Speaker, at this point in time, I don't support this bill. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank the Member from Range Lake for bringing this bill forward. This bill is very important to all communities in the Northwest Territories, in particular small communities, and we know the work that goes into this position of fighting the fires in the communities, etcetera, and so, no, Mr. Speaker, I don't have an issue with supporting this bill, and I just want to thank all the frontline workers that are here today and throughout the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.

Mr. Speaker, before we break for the summer, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and congratulate the high school graduates in my Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding starting with:

Hannah Beck and Caleb Simon

from Fort Resolution;

Leona Lockhart from Lutselk'e.

And at K'alemi Dene School in N'dilo, I want to recognize

Patricia Black-Quitte

Tadeh Betsina

Owen Charlo-Zoe

Lora Lee Stiopu.

I also want to congratulate the Indigenous high school graduates here at both high schools in Yellowknife, starting with Indigenous graduates from Sir John:

Sara Elizabeth Anderson

April Ansetti

Rhiannon Balmer

Bianca Bates

Keenian...

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the House here today to speak about the bill, and I don't know where to start but the best way for me to talk about this is that I want to say small communities do matter. We got 33 communities in the Northwest Territories, and we all have our own needs and wants and ask, and I got to work with our own Indigenous governments that are bringing their issues to me all the time. And I get calls every day, evenings, weekends, and I continue to advocate for them.

Mr. Speaker, in the 19th Assembly I came in through a by-election, and at that time I brought my...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Testart. Thank you for being here. And I also would like to thank all the firefighters that are here in the gallery. Thank you for your services. Mahsi.

Programs and services, not previously authorized, $4,813,000. Are there any questions?

Seeing no further questions, Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 2025-2026. Department of Infrastructure, capital investment expenditures, programs and services, not previously authorized, $4,813,000. Does the committee agree?

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 340-20(1) and would like to report progress with one motion carried, that consideration of Tabled Document 340-20(1) is concluded in the House, concurred, and those estimates as amended and that an appropriation bill to be based thereon be introduced without delay. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, committee. We will now consider the Department of Infrastructure on page 15.

Assets management, not previously authorized, $26,180,000. Are there any questions?

Seeing no further questions, Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 2025-2026. Department of Infrastructure, capital investment expenditures, asset management, not previously authorized, $26,180,000. Does committee agree?

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Tabled Document 340-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 2025-2026, will be reported as ready for consideration in a formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

---Carried

Thank you, Minister, and thank you to your witnesses for appearing before us. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses from the chamber. Thank you.

I'm going to go to the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.