Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for that. And, yes, indeed, it is a massive opportunity. I know the Premier has spoken previously, and we have talked about in this House the potential for working groups. I wonder, as part of the strategic energy plans, specifically again to the Beaufort Delta region, is there any interest in -- while working with the strategic energy plan, in forming a working group that may include MLA participation as well, regular MLA participation, and how we can further this development, including reaching out to industry. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement from February 2025, I spoke about our energy strategy and its primary focus at the time had been solely focused on renewable, but the reality is, Mr. Speaker, we are still heavily dependent on diesel, LNG, and other non-renewable options in our northern regions.

Given the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation's M18 project is now fully funded and well underway, engaging with the significant discovery licence holders in the Beaufort Delta must be a priority for this government. I often spoke in this House about the 2021 MD LNG report that...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I brought up in the House before the potential of looking at having some more senior people in the regions, and specifically Inuvik. And I know we have superintendents there. I know we have regional management committees. But more specifically, you know, would the department consider having a more senior position kind of beyond that level of regional superintendent? Maybe someone who can actually work as well with the -- you know, department's envoy in Ottawa as well. Because given if you look at what's happening around with DND up there, with what's happening...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I agree, but as the Minister knows, SEED funding does not cover core funding and it would be good for the governance, absolutely to get that, but this is a volunteer board. Can the Minister commit to once again bring this up with the chair of Aurora College -- I had asked for that back on February 9th -- to implore him to find a way to -- and the board, to keep this centre open for another year so they can find a way to keep it open forever. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on February 9th, I gave a Member's statement on the Innovate Centre in Inuvik and the dire situation that it's in and requested that the Minister speak with the chair of Aurora College to look at continuing the funding.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of ECE. I guess my first question is, is she aware that they've now been given notice that the funding will be done at the end of March and the Innovate Centre is to shut down maybe, Mr. Speaker, forever. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

You know, I appreciate that. And I know, I mean, the regional director is often kept busy enough. I know they're there, you know, looking at each department in the region, you know, fielding questions from that, organizing -- organizing, I guess, departmental work on the ground up there as well, working with the interagency committee. I see our regional director there when I attend those meetings when I am in town. I guess what I am thinking is work beyond that. I mean, that person is busy enough. They have -- you know, they have that work to do. But I am thinking more of at a strategic level...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider Committee Report 35-20(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review of the Auditor General's 2025 Audit of Protected and Conserved Areas in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Chair, the committee also wishes to consider Tabled Document 448-20(1), 2026-2027 Main Estimates, the department of EIA.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I wholeheartedly agree but similar to what happened with CLCs, it can happen so quick. What the centre is looking for, Mr. Speaker, is one-year funding, approximately $200,000, to continue and do that work that the Minister is talking about, to find new ways to kind of have the Innovate Centre amalgamate with the community. So what I am asking the Minister, can the Minister find a way to keep this centre open, to find that $200,000 to keep this centre open for another year to do the things that she's suggesting they do?