Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thanks to the Minister for that reply. The Minister had mentioned that some of the funding sources have sunsetted. I'm more specifically looking down at the low carbon economy leadership fund, and you got three sources there for a total of $10.3 million. And the Minister had mentioned earlier, earlier in the day, about ongoing negotiations there for the Arctic Energy Alliance funding. Is that related to the numbers that we're seeing? Is that what is being lobbied by this government to reinstate those three line items for a total of $10.3 million? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is more of a comment. I was going to say I look forward to working with the Minister on getting the information so that we can relay that information on mobilization of materials to the Sahtu leadership. So I will be working with the Minister over the coming days. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my statement there, my first question to the Minister for housing, can the Minister confirm the housing-related materials, or the inventory destined for the Sahtu over the winter road season. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, Assembly colleagues heard me speak on the Fort Good Hope construction centre on numerous occasions. Mr. Speaker, last week it gives me great privilege that a proponent, Ne'Rahten Developments of Fort Good Hope, seen deliveries of three modular homes over the winter road, for a total of six. This achievement produces results for two issues: Number one, the housing demand and meeting that demand; number two, costs for the modular homes including transportation. This data will help.

Mr. Speaker, this is wonderful news to see the private sector addressing the NWT's housing crisis. This...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Complementary of this budget, when it gets passed, and it's such a huge department with a lot of benefits, and as we are approaching or going to be approaching our summer student hiring season, can the Minister, not at this point in time but at some point in time and when time permits, provide a student summer employment program with all positions. I see in here there's, you know, not including the subcontractors or the contractors, you get 280 part-time and full-time positions. So it's a huge department to look at shadowing positions, SNAP positions, summer student...

I'm glad the department is looking at the governance review. And I would probably subject what types of downsizing measures -- is land disposition being looked at? Are you downsizing the assets, the land, the footprint, to shrink your operating costs? Is some of the redundant assets being looked at maybe on the international community as selling them off, those types of actions on reductions there? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thanks to the Minister for that update there. And I look forward to a favourable reply later on in the year and wish the Minister the best of the lobbying efforts to reinstate those funds. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is I'm kind of looking at the top of the list there for contributions advancing hydro public engagement, then has no more money here, and then looking down, energy corporation lease, lease agreement, energy, NWT energy efficiency projects. Is one of these, or maybe throughout the other pages, is there a program that is undergoing discussions and possible funding for the Deline hydro project? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister. That's wonderful news here. It really provides comfort knowing that the end is in sight there for material delivery.

My next question there, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain how many home repair projects are reserved for the Sahtu and if the materials are going to be shipped on this winter road season? Mahsi.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks for the reply to that. I feel encouraged that the continued support is there. When I visit small communities, yes, the cost of living is high, cost of groceries is high, and when we hear comments and announcements made that the food program is getting another $45,000, you should see the overwhelming smiles on the parents and teachers. So it's really encouraging to keep motivated to help our communities when you see those smiling faces. Thank you. That's more of a comment there, Mr. Chair. Mahsi.