Robert Hawkins

Thank you. My understanding is the Government of the Northwest Territories has already received a we'll call it interim or partial payment, which is unusual, if I understand it, being accelerated so quick. That was probably based on the assessment or assumption that it would be quite expensive coming this firefighting process. Could the Minister confirm how much has been received to date and how much are we anticipating? Thank you.

Our scribbles on the House, Mr. Chairman, that didn't have the one with Fort Simpson. Now we all reconcile is nine on this and we're all on the same page.

If the Minister could just elaborate a little clearly further that is, the $841,000 is for the 20232024 budget, if that represents five, and just to reaffirm the ratio of 52 to 48; I'm assuming we pay the 48? Thank you.

No, that will be fine. I mean, as I pointed out earlier, some of these are generic headings and from time to time you get people curious on what they actually are. Thank you. No question.

No, I'm okay, Mr. Chairman. I just was just trying to follow the money. Thank you.

I may not have heard the answer because I was writing my next question down. So in fairness. So the climate change preparedness for the North, is there any type of public reporting of this particular initiative? Thank you.

Thank you. So we're still taking money, but we don't have any money in the program? Or sorry, we're still taking applications, but we don't have money in the program; is that currently correct at this very moment?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have two-line activities. One says wastewater surveillance. So what does the public actually see and know about this, and how does it get reported? It's these are powerful words but they're kind of generic. So, you know, somebody would say well, what does that mean and how is it reported? So what information do they gather, where do we find out about what these mean? And setting aside it’s federal money, which is nil, in other words nil to the cost to the Northwest Territories, people are often curious of these types of things as just generic headings. So thank you...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to confirm, is this new money for people to apply for, or is the application process closed and this is an opportunity to backfill some outstanding applications?

Goodness, that was the longest response, Mr. Speaker. But thank you for the detail, and I'm sure Northerners appreciate it.

Mr. Speaker, my last question is this: When consultation went out and asked people their thoughts on the health benefits, Mr. Speaker, it did not present a policy change. So people didn't know, I guess, in some ways what they were agreeing with or knowing what they were going to get. Mr. Speaker, therein lies part of the problem and there is the question, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to send the policy to the social development committee so they can have a...

Yes. Well, I don't want to take it on behalf of committee but I'm sure we won't refuse if they offer. The other thing on this section is can I get some breakdown as to further understanding as what the $1 million is targeted to? Now, I see it's attached to provide funding for businesses impacted by the 2023 fire. Can we get some breakdown, further elaboration as to how that's intended or directed? Thank you.