Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I guess I don't see what harm we're trying to correct here, and my understanding is that attendance is really quite simple now that there's options for online and telephone attendance. So not knowing what harm we're going to correct, I am content with the rules as they are, and I will vote no. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am anticipating a fall introduction of the bill. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we certainly do track the customers that come to the Mackenzie Valley fibre line. Right now that is predominantly as a result of the satellite array that is up in Inuvik, and certainly do look for opportunities, particularly with the coming, you know, increase in the Inuvik area from the department of defence and from other countries about the opportunity to increase traffic on the fibre line. But, Mr. Speaker, this is not -- you know, and it's not my expectation that this fibre line is going to suddenly become a significant cash cow. There is a small...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to start by recognizing the interpreters. It's not something I've often done, but I sped through my Minister's statement today as I saw the clock tick down. So thank you for your work, and I am sorry. And, Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to recognize I have a returning page from the Yellowknife South, hoping that he might come in the room, and I am lucky. Joshua Kostache, thank you for all your hard work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I recently represented the Northwest Territories in Toronto at the federal-provincial-territorial meeting of Ministers responsible for addressing red tape and improving government efficiencies. I highlighted the work we are doing in the Government of the Northwest Territories to improve services, modernize regulations, streamline permitting processes, and use digital technology to improve access and efficiency. I received a great deal of positive feedback on our efforts, and many of my colleagues are interested in learning more about our approaches. And while I take this interest...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for folks who are very keen, the GNWT's Have Your Say web page does provide links to all of our what we heard reports, including this one. By way of just high-level summary, Mr. Speaker, we do -- there was quite a range of responses, including, in particular, support for increasing employee choice in representation, as well as concerns around ensuring that that process be fair, wanting to make sure that there's opportunities for that choice to include specific sector representation, wanting to know -- have certainty around what that process -- what the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I will take my pick of the two questions. I will answer the first. Mr. Speaker, the fibre line was always intended -- and, Mr. Speaker, I wasn't in the Assembly when the fibre line was being designed or debated or discussed or justified. Other Members may have been, Mr. Speaker, so. But, Mr. Speaker, I can see at this point in time, my understanding is the fibre line provides an important point of presence into communities. The fibre line connects all the way up to Tuktoyaktuk, without which there would not be a point of presence of fibre. So every community...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was eagerly awaiting my name. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this is a P3 project, so it was built in such fashion where given the significant costs back in 2015 or so when this was being constructed to build a project of this magnitude to bring fiber all the way up the valley and through difficult terrain in a manner arguably ahead of some of our territorial colleagues, the options would have been to try to fund that entirely up front, which may have been a bill that we simply back then, I would suspect, could not have afforded, take on a massive amount of debt...

Mr. Speaker, June is a time for reflection and celebration as we mark National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month while also recognizing Men’s Mental Health Month.

National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to honour the rich histories, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. For generations, Indigenous communities have sustained deep connections to the land, vibrant cultural traditions, and systems of knowledge that continue to shape this country.

It is also a time to acknowledge the lasting impacts of colonization, including the legacy...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 53, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2026-2027, be read for the third time. Mr. Speaker. I would request a recorded vote you.