Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, first, Mr. Chair, with respect to what this is funding, it is specific to GNWT assets and GNWT infrastructure, so that wouldn't necessarily extend to infrastructure that is specific to a community, a community government infrastructure, or anything owned by an Indigenous government for example. It would really only be infrastructure or for GNWT owned.

A breakdown. I know I have provided with respect when we do the capital planning, we do provide some breakdown by region, including by Tlicho region, but I don't have that here to identify how much of these facilities...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to see the federal government finally extend this to the North. The eligibility is determined by the federal government, by ISED, so we don't have a lot of ability to control that. But it does extend to families who receive is the maximum amount of the child benefit. It also extends to seniors, Mr. Speaker, or seniors who are receiving the maximum amount of their guaranteed income supplement. So with that, Mr. Speaker, that is where we get to 1,870 families or households in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, there was certainly at the time that our main estimates were being prepared still a federal program to support consumer choice than to try to incentivize consumer choice towards energy or EV vehicles. Mr. Chair, what we did commit to in our business plan, and what we are providing, is the corridor so that people can actually charge those vehicles. And I can say that from Yellowknife all the way to the Alberta border and over all the way to Fort Smith, there is, indeed, going to be an EV charging corridor. It will be complete this year and so while I can't...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I fortunately heard the Premier speak about this many times so I feel like I'm in fairly comfortable ground in referencing the work that's happening already in terms of the SCAN legislation and a suite of other legislative initiatives that are under the Department of Justice which is also under the Premier. And, Mr. Speaker, I know that the community policing priorities are an area that both the Premier takes very seriously and I've also heard the commander take very seriously as being an area where he wants to see real movement. So whether it's -- who...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is, indeed, a capital project that I am happy to say, after quite a bit of effort on both sides, Mr. Chair, we do now have contracts in place both for the operations and maintenance as well as to undertake the much waited-for and anticipated capital upgrades. That was -- both of those came in the fall of 2024 which means that by this construction season, we will see the upgrades beginning. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, investing in our roads, bridges, airports, and highways is critical to keep communities connected, improve safety, and support economic growth. Whether it is making sure families can travel safely, helping businesses move goods, or supporting emergency response, strong transportation infrastructure is essential for all Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, crews have already been working across the territory over the last year to improve road conditions and safety. And I have a few examples to highlight:

Highway No. 1, the Mackenzie Valley Highway, received about 39 kilometers of chip seal...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, I mean, yes, so this particular line item that was pointed to is specific to Northwest Territories Power Corporation to help integrate the programs and projects that may exist in communities. But, Mr. Chair, a lot of work does happen in the energy strategic initiatives division with respect to some of the planning. So, for example, the micro hydro that was mentioned earlier, the possibility of SMRs. You know, efforts in that space happen within this division, so the staff that are employed there through this proposed budget are the same staff that would be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are annual reporting requirements from both myself with respect to the energy side but also from my colleague at ECC with respect to our climate change framework. Mr. Speaker, I don't have them at the tip of my fingers here today, but we do certainly see as an obligation to report on the progress we're making in those two areas, and that is tabled here in the House annually. Thank you.

At this point. And, Mr. Chair, no, I don't have that yet but, again, really creating -- this is something where there's already these existing pieces of framework of the National Building Code that exists that we already apply in the GNWT, so bringing that in and making it one that can be put into legislation that can be applied more broadly really should be manageable at this point. We're hopeful within the capacity that we have to put it in place. And then, as far as putting our inspectors out, Mr. Chair, again, inspectors already are out inspecting buildings but they're doing so without the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it's not a lack of understanding or, frankly, even disagreement. As I said, I was surprised -- surprise probably doesn't quite describe it. But certainly was surprised to learn that the federal government was cutting these programs that support communities that are most in need of being -- having alternatives to rely on fossil fuels that are least well able to find alternatives and because we are not connected to the grid, we are, you know, nonroad communities, so I'm more than happy to give all my reasons why I thought this was a not very intuitive choice. But...