Richard Edjericon

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I recall in 2023, when I was first elected to the Assembly here and I came in midway through an election, and I was not around when the whole budgeting planning process was starting to happen. Even though I came in, I brought in the wishes of what I heard from my riding and I put it all in the suitcase, and I went to the Premier of the day trying to get that luggage thrown on the train. And the train's halfway through its destination, and the Premier of the day had mentioned that she will do her best to try to get it onto the train. And needless to say that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I second this motion because I support this motion. It's one that is really needed. And I always keep thinking about the late Cece McCauley who always said build a highway. And, you know, I think it's time now that we take a look at that. You know, as my colleague who brought forward this motion talks about the need of putting a highway there that helps with the high cost of living in that region, no different than I'm trying to push the same thing for my riding as well. But, Mr. Speaker, roads like this is good for communities. It's good for the North. Good for the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to take this opportunity as my Member's statement to thank the Members, my colleagues around the table here. It's been a busy almost four weeks. I also wanted to thank, Mr. Speaker, your staff. Also the ledge staff as well that work behind the scenes for us. I know there's a lot of work that happens behind the scenes that people don't see. I want to say thank you to my CA, Taylor Pagotto, and also Warren Delorme of Fort Resolution. Also, I want to thank all the translators that are here. I want to say mahsi. If it wasn't for you that we wouldn't...

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried. Bill 10 has second reading.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to recognize the grand chief of the Tlicho region, Mr. Jackson Lafferty. Mahsi for being here. I also want to recognize Louise Mackenzie and June Mackenzie as well. Mahsi for being here.

Thank you. Moving on to the Department of Finance, please turn to page 153.

Finance, total department, operations expenditure summary, 2024-2025 Main Estimates, $358,407,000. Does the committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a second to the motion, I do support the amendment as well. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 93-20(1), Tabled Document 111-20(1), and would like to report progress with two motions carried, and that consideration of Tabled Document 93-20(1) and Tabled Document 111-20(1) are concluded, that consideration of Tabled Documents 93-20(1) and 111-20(1) are concluded and that the House concur and those estimates as amended and that appropriation bills 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. Moving on to the Department of Environment and Climate Change, please turn to page 75.

Environment and Climate Change, total department, operations expenditure summary, 2024-2025 Main Estimates, $126,205,000. Does the committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, support this motion. It's another toolbox that we need to deal with the issues in our small communities and throughout the Northwest Territories. And I respect my colleagues on their comments as well, and I hear -- you know, I'm hoping that within 120 days, this issue will be addressed. So, Mr. Speaker, I'll be supporting the motion. Thank you.