Julian Morse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have some very special guests in the gallery today. I dare say this may be the first time we've recognized a dog in the Assembly, but we have therapy dog Kit and her handler Joanne Cecchetto today in the chamber and several officials visiting from the St. John Ambulance Priory Headquarters led by CEO Brent Fowler; Samantha Rodick, director of community services; Lori Anderson, chancellor of St. John Ambulance Priory of Canada; and, Patricia Johnson, regional chair of Manitoba and Northwest Territories council. I'd like to extend a heartfelt welcome to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am happy to rise to recognize the dedicated volunteers of the therapy dog program in the Northwest Territories.

The therapy dog program, overseen by St. John Ambulance, provides comfort, companionship, and emotional support to individuals in need. Certified therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers visit various community settings. These furry friends offer unconditional love and attention, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and stress. In particular, the therapy dogs can offer a calming presence and companionship, especially for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following documents: First is Towards a Basic Income Guarantee in the Northwest Territories prepared by PlanItNorth for Alternatives North. And second is Towards a Basic Income Guarantee in the Northwest Territories: A Proposal to Invest in People for the Common Good - Summary for Policy Makers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that answer. Mr. Speaker, during the presentation, the department hired -- highlighted a number of areas which still need more work, for persons with disabilities, women, long-time Northerners who are now left out of the new policy. Can the Minister discuss how the department plans to address diversity and inclusion and prioritizing northern hires under this new policy that they've just approved. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the spring equinox, there is palpable excitement in Yellowknife. I'd like to take a moment to highlight one of my favourite winter events, the the upcoming Frostbite 55 taking place this Saturday, March 15th. This event is the premiere winter endurance event in the Northwest Territories and brings together skiers and snowshoers from across the NWT and Canada to undertake a grueling 55-kilometer course. The course traverses the area around Yellowknife, N'dilo, and Dettah, and highlights the beautiful and rugged terrain around these communities...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And continuing on this thread, one resident that wrote to committee raised the fact of while the department has frequently highlighted that the government is not representative of the full population of the NWT, the issue at hand is that of the available workforce. So, Mr. Speaker, why is the department not using the demographics of the available workforce as a way to measure representation as it moves forward with this policy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this afternoon we received -- Standing Committee on Government Operations received a briefing on the Indigenous employment policy. Mr. Speaker, one of the concerns I've heard, one of the main concerns, is from families with children schooled in the NWT returning to university who are concern their opportunities for employment will now be limited. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister discuss how students who previously benefitted from P2 status will still have opportunities for employment with the GNWT. Mr. Speaker, will we still be prioritizing our...

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. What's going on next to me here; what's all this waving about?

Mr. Chair, the next question I had was when will the program review of the SEED policy be completed? And also how will the department ensure that SEED funding supports mentorship and capacity building? Thank you -- or, actually, you know what, let's go one question at a time. When will the program review of the SEED policy be completed? Thank you.

You don't have a clever pun?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And can the Minister discuss what kind of expert economic analysis is going to be applied to the economic visioning in particular -- yeah, and how it's going to kind of lead into investment strategy. I am curious to hear because, you know, the Minister will remember I made a statement about this a number of sittings ago. I was speaking about the Greenland Economic Council and how they applied economic analysis of the current state of Greenland and how, you know, targeted investment in certain areas would help change that and move things along. I would notice that Ontario...