Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you. Yes, I do, Madam Chair. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 20232024. These supplementary estimates propose a total increase of $120 million to the shortterm borrowing authorization limit. The primary purpose of this increase is to address and respond to the unforeseen emergency costs as a result of wildfire activity this year.

That concludes my opening remarks. I am happy to answer questions, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Indigenous Procurement Policy is one that is being co-developed or and co-drafted and proceeded together along with Indigenous governments of the Northwest Territories. It is not something that's going to be singularly led or dictated by the Government of the Northwest Territories for the benefit of others. It's the people who are going to benefit from it who are the ones that should be at the table driving what it looks like.

And, Mr. Speaker, while it might seem nice and easy to just create a target and call it a day, Mr. Speaker, right now the Yukon...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it is my understanding at this point that well, I don't have any information that we're putting that forward as a plan, as an idea in terms of having WiFi as a set available thing at a park. I mean, I think some parks do have access to it, and the extent that park users then can go and use it is, you know, I guess up to them. I think it's based on the Starlink program in most parks to the extent that again, I believe most of them have it. They are often operated by contractors. So if I'm hedging a bit, it's because it does somewhat depend on each...

Sorry, Madam Chair. Let me take that to Mr. Brennan. I may have just missed the question there.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it is just to be able to confirm that at this point it's really a repair project, and it's done it is in following to the recommendations that were received as part of the larger environmental not larger, but the environmental assessment that was done. So we've taken those recommendations and that is what we are planning to act upon, and the first round of funding is to do the planning to undertake that and just to get that going. There's still other work happening at the dock with DFO. That is DFO's that they are working on as to whether or not this...

Yes, please.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I did want to know I'm glad I have the chance, there was a working group, it actually does have a new name now, it's the Northwest Territories Housing Forum. And I'm not sure whether or not terms of reference can be shared. Obviously, we'd be only one seat at that table but let me make that inquiry. And perhaps that, again, also can demonstrate the level of commitment between all the parties at that forum and what they're attempting to do at that forum. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has asked or made quite a number of statements about the procurement review, and there has been quite a lot done. In July of this year, a report was put out publicly. It's online through the GNWT's government the Department of Finance website detailing all the many changes and improvements to procurement in the Northwest Territories that have been made in the life of this government.

Within that with respect to the Business Incentive Policy and I know the Member goes on at length about how much he liked the review, the review itself says that...

Thank you, Madam Chair. If the issue is around an evacuation route, that probably does not fall within ITI. Certainly during the evacuation, infrastructure did take the lead in terms of providing some additional porta potties along the route and ensuring that there was some additional cleaning, as did ITI, to ensure that for the parks that are there in the parks along the way, that the outhouses that are there that they were receiving additional cleaning. I am I have received both side of this council in that I certainly did receive some complaints, but I also had other people that I was...