George Nerysoo

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll forego my third question and repeat my second question. Will the department be increasing the rent on the same basis as the newer units as the 50-year-old units that we do have in our communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are only a few units -- market housing units within each of the communities throughout the NWT. They're housing our professional resource people who are coming into our communities to assist in healing our residents. We have limited housing available within our smaller communities, and this is the only option some of our resource people may have. Has the department looked at other options to increase revenue rather than imposing a rent increase on only a select few? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to reiterate my concerns for the Dempster Highway conditions between Rengleng River and Inuvik.

Since the fall of 2024, just before the ground was beginning to freeze, I brought up the concerns and safety of this section of the highway. I bring this concern up again because of the safety of the users. We have local traffic and semi-truck users on this section of the highway on a daily basis, and their safety, when driving that Dempster Highway, should be a priority to this government. As it is starting to warm up again, the highway conditions are...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Regional projects, there's an increase from 2023-2024 actuals to the 2025-2026 Main Estimates. There's an increase there. Mackenzie Delta -- the Mackenzie Delta region has seen very little in terms of big capital projects. Is there anything to look forward to within this area here, for any of the three communities in my riding? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Carrying on with highway operations, in the fall of 2024 they didn't have much time or they did not complete the upgrade or maintenance of the highway section between Rengleng River and Inuvik. But specifically talking about Rengleng River where there's that danger zone there, was there a carryover from last year's -- fall of last year to this year's estimates to -- so that work can be conducted this year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the regional department working with the Minister's department on daily inspections of the highway from the NWT border to Tuktoyaktuk to give updates on where work might be required for safety reasons? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Member's statement, I'd like to direct my questions to the Minister of Infrastructure.

With the warmer weather upon us and the conditions of the Dempster Highway worsening there, I applaud the Minister on her infrastructure improvements project but there was no mention of Highway No. 8 in the upgrades or regular maintenance. What is the department doing at the present time to ensure the safety of the users of the Dempster Highway between Rengleng River and Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's all I have.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Going on to winter roads, I see I notice increase from 2023 to 2024 actuals to 2025-2026 Main Estimates. In my region, we have one winter road that goes from Inuvik to Aklavik, and the access roads from Tsiigehtchic and the Peel River Crossing, has there been some -- due to climate change and, you know, the opening of the roads at a later date and closing earlier, has there been any reference to this in the increase in the budget to the actuals for the main estimates? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My questions are related to highway operations. We see an increase from 2023-2024 actuals of $107 million to $109 million. How much of this is geared toward the upgrade or maintenance of the Dempster Highway between, let's say, Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Chair.