Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, just quickly. So do you have the detail on how long that position had been vacant? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So it was for a bit, but -- so a lot of this is related to the community operations. This was a position that had been there for a while. Communities are responsible for operating their own water treatment plants and utilidors, and this position was there. So this is part of our fiscal sustainability and our reductions, and this one was vacant. So they have somebody that does it, and this position was there, so we cut this position. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you. Nothing further, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. I will go to the Member from Monfwi.
Thank you. I think I am on the right page now. But not that asset, but there's interesting stuff regarding the asset management as well too. But I want to ask about this here, road licensing and safety. The current -- the upcoming fiscal year the budget went down a bit, and here I've been asking, you know, like -- I would like to see some of the -- I would like to see new jobs created in Tlicho region, and here I see a reduction. That's a bit disappointing. But I just want to ask the Minister that -- I know he said he will work with me to possibly create, you know -- create three positions or transfer. That's another one too I am going to be asking about, transferring some jobs to the -- to the region, like from North Slave region -- I don't -- I am going to the -- from the active positions, there's nine in Tlicho region, and North Slave region they add one more, and here I've been asking for more jobs to be transferred to Tlicho region. Why we would not consider -- why Tlicho region was not considered to have at least a position transferred to Tlicho region when it is so easy to create one for North Slave? Thank you.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. So the reduction that she's speaking of related to road licensing and safety is completely amortization of GNWT assets. So that's the first question.
The second part, for the positions, the positions that we have that are new are related to the vehicle asset, fleet management. It's not a transferred position. It's a new position that's -- will be hopefully developed and posted. So thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Member from Monfwi.
Thank you. Okay, there's nine positions in Tlicho region. Are they all active and indeterminate position? Thank you.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't have the full details on that right now. I'd have to get back to the Member with that. She just -- yeah, the full details, we can get back to her on that.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Monfwi.
Thank you. Yeah, we're in advantaged positions to have more jobs transferred to our region because most of our young people are employed by the diamond mine. So with the closure, it's going to have a great impact so that's why I am just advocating I want more jobs going to Tlicho region where possible. Like, DMV is one of the positions, or that department that we can get -- you know, that we can benefit from in our region because a lot of our people go to Yellowknife to access some of the services, but -- so that's why I am advocating for that. I would like to see more positions, jobs transferred to Tlicho region.
Highway operations. Highway operation went up a bit from last -- from this previous fiscal year to upcoming fiscal year. So it did went up. So I know that -- I sent an email to the Minister regarding the maintenance of the highway, and I know that I got an email back, you know, so I don't know how some of my -- the workers feel about starting at five, but that's for safety reason. And I know that because they've been asking, too -- okay, if -- because of the safety reason and for the commuters and it's for the commuters that go both ways, you know, to work. If the department cannot accommodate having Tlicho workers from Tlicho region to maintain the road all the way to Yellowknife, they were asking about there's a boundary, you know, as you leave for -- within the Wek'eezhii, there's a sign. If they can go as far as that to plow the road because that's within the Tlicho region or -- you know, Tlicho region. So they were asking about that, why -- I am just asking the Minister have they ever thought about that operations to accommodate our Tlicho workers -- thank you -- to maintain the road. Thank you.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. So, you know, in the email response earlier to her, I explained that it's a combined effort between staff in her region and staff in Yellowknife that do the road between Behchoko and Yellowknife, and the goal is to have a 5 a.m. and 5:30 start time if conditions are warranted. But, yeah, so that -- the employees in her region are already working on that road. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Monfwi.
They are working on the road because of the safety. Before, it wasn't, you know. But that new time, it's good. And you know that -- well, this is MACA issue too but there's an ambulance that goes on that road 24/7, constantly every day, so that's why, you know, like, our people are concerned about the highway, especially in winter when we have ten months of winter. So that's why a lot of people were a little bit, you know -- they were concerned about that. But with that in mind, so that's why I am advocating for more, you know -- like, if our workers can do more, the Tlicho employees in my region can do more to maintain the road. And if they can't go all the way but to go as far as that -- there that Tlicho land sign is.
But, anyways, the winter road, I know you mentioned Tlicho winter road. There's a really -- like, it's a big increase. I just want to ask the Minister, I am not too sure if it's you or if it's the other infrastructure Minister, if there was any study done on building all-season roads from Whati junction all the way to Gameti. Thank you.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I am not aware of that. Maybe the Minister for strategic infrastructure and supply chains is, but I am not aware of that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Monfwi.
Okay. Yeah, no, no, that's why I asked. I am not too sure because we have two infrastructure departments, and one is high-level and this is a low-level one, according to the way that it's set out. That's why I asked if it, you know -- but I will ask the other Minister when she does her presentation as well, so -- so because the North Slave -- you know, North Slave is really confusing. It's -- and we are part of North Slave and -- but it -- in your budget, it's -- it identified Tlicho. So have the Minister ever consider -- I am going to say this again. Have the department -- is that department working with the Indigenous government to transfer some of the jobs to Tlicho region? Even today okay, I know TCSA was mentioned, but TCSA is part of the Tlicho agreement so that's different story. But it's just that have -- I know they're going to assume some jurisdictions through their agreement, so I just want to ask the Minister if the department work with or have consider or are they working with the Tlicho government to transfer some of the jobs to Tlicho region. Thank you.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Not that I am aware of, and it's not something that we're looking at. That would more fall in line with EIA and finance for positions and restructuring departments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to follow up on my colleague's questioning about the Yellowknife airport revolving fund because I similarly am puzzled by the numbers that we're seeing.
So what we've got under the revolving fund is a list of different types of revenues that the airport is getting that last year, anyway, added up to $14 million in revenues. And then there's a list of the expenses. And then -- so I do see that there is -- there was a shortfall between -- sorry, wrong. The expenses add up to less than the revenues. So even sort of operating costs, revenues are more than expenses, and we see that the annual surplus is growing into this year. And so what I -- it sounded like the Minister's staff was explaining that it's a problem with the timing of the costs of things that, you know, maybe revenues or fees are coming in at a certain time and at other times they have to pay for certain costs or capital costs, so. But I believe in the past when we asked the Minister, okay, if there's a deficit that we have to pay for in supplementary estimates, would we get that money back when the, you know, fees come in, if this is a revolving fund, there's money coming in, and the response was no, these are just -- these are operating costs that were spent that was more -- you know, it was a deficit. It was more than the revenues were able to bring in. So that's where I don't understand how on the one hand we're being asked to give $1.8 million to the airport because of their deficit and yet we see that there is an ongoing significant surplus and we're not getting any money back to pay for these operating expenses, so -- and we just heard from the Minister's staff that, in fact, the revenues are assets? But in my mind, those are two different categories of things, and so if we've got a list of three different types of revenues, including fees.
I guess the -- the first question for the Minister is can you confirm that in -- on page 289, for the Yellowknife airport revolving fund, that under the list of revenues that, in fact you're saying those things include assets, not revenues? Is that -- is that -- just to clarify, is that what you're saying? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. I will go to the Minister.
(audio) Mr. Chair. And just to clarify -- I will also get the director to respond. But just to clarify, the question was asked what we do with the revenues. And what we do with the revenues is use it for assets. So runways, the terminal building, equipment, such things. So that's what the revenues are used for, and that's what the question was asked. So for the rest of her question, I will ask the director to respond. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Director.
Thank you for the question. In regards to the revenues -- well, actually, I will start with the first question, is that these numbers that you're seeing here are not the actual results. They are only the original main estimates, so -- or revised main estimates, and we don't really revise revolving funds. So the actual results compared to what was originally budgeted are different. So that is one thing to keep in note.
And then in regards to the three -- three streams of revenue, all three of these are different types of revenues. So aeronautical fees, those are the fees that we collect when -- for landing fees. Non-aeronautical are fees that are related to various programs such as like the cafeteria, parking, etcetera. So that's a larger -- a large category.
It's the airport improvement fee specifically that it's not capital but it's tied to capital recognition. So in the same way that when we get money from the federal government for a capital project, we cannot recognize that revenue until the work is completed. It's the same way that -- for the airport improvement fee. It is part of the fee that is charged to the airline operators; however, it is a separate portion and it's separated out. So it just happens to be a timing issue between when the cash is received and when we can recognize it within the financial statements.
And then in regards to the continuing revolving fund, the reason why we have to do a supplementary appropriation, if we are projecting for revolving funds to be in a deficit position but at the end of the year is a FAM requirement. So revolving funds are not allowed to end the year in a deficit position. They have to at least break even. And as such, the department has to cover that.
In regards to the accumulated surplus, realistically it is already part of the consolidated revenue fund. So the surplus is coming back to GNWT as cash, just not as revenue. And I know that can be a confusing accounting situation.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Member from Yellowknife North.
Okay. And I do appreciate the quick course in accounting. Can you explain, then, if the surplus is essentially cash why some of that -- so it was estimated at the end of 2025-2026, the surplus was almost $12.5 million. Why can't some of that surplus be used to cushion, you know -- you talked about the airport improvement fee. That's about $5 million. And you were saying the timing is tricky with when that money comes in and we saw and asked -- well, approved a $1.8 million supp for operating deficit. Why couldn't either that $5 million or $1.8 million be covered by the $12.5 million in surplus that's sitting there as cash? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess just to try to get to the detail of this, if we can get back to the Member with the response so that we can cover off the question that she's asking in order to make sure that we're covering off the detail of her question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. That would be helpful. And if also we could get an indication in writing of the actual, you know, revenues and expenses list from 2025-2026 -- (audio) -- okay. It's been published already? (audio) -- okay. But if it's possible to get those numbers now, the Minister's staff was saying that -- I mean, essentially, in the revised estimates we're seeing here nothing has been revised, and so these are not the actual costs. So I'd love to see if we could get in writing what were the actual revised expenses and revenues for 2025-2026. That would be helpful. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. We will get that for her. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Yellowknife North.
That's all for now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. I will go to the Member from the Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is for the Deh Cho operations. How many of these positions are in my riding? Fort Providence, Kakisa, Enterprise, and Hay River. Yeah, total number of employees. Thank you.
Thank you. I will go to the Minister.
So, yeah, Deh Cho operations, we have -- full-time positions in the Deh Cho, we have 45. For her specific riding -- or for Fort Providence, we can get you the information for detail for specifically Fort Providence, if you like, or if you want it broken down for area. But, yeah, 45 is the number of positions in the Deh Cho.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Deh Cho.
I'd like it broken down, if I could get that, for the riding.
And my next question is, you said start times for -- when my colleague was asking questions, you said start times for highway startup is 5 a.m. Is that for every region, or is that just the communities along the highways? Thank you.
Thank you. I will go to the Minister.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Start times for areas depend on season, depend on operations, depend on conditions. So it may vary. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Okay, thank you. I will go back to the Member from Deh Cho.
