Kate Reid

Yeah, nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a letter dated January 29th, 2026, from YWCA-NWT to Cabinet Members requesting funds to operate safe homes in Fort Simpson and Fort Good Hope. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I am heartened to hear that this past weekend an artist reached out to me and said, you know, the new financial structure is working, it's clearer, it's understandable. But I am curious, Mr. Speaker, what more has her department been hearing about arts funding, and has this new structure been working for the majority of NWT artists? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Premier tell me if he sees value in and whether he would consider a round table or working group of NGO, community, and Indigenous government partners on how to effectively coordinate family violence shelters in safe homes across the NWT aligning with the MMIWG Call for Justice 4.7. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

(audio).

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will endeavour to be slow.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to say thank you before my questions that I am grateful that the Premier's staff has reached out to YWCA-NWT and begin to address some of their concerns, but I still have some additional ones to discuss today, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, can the Premier tell me if due to EIA's function of both coordinating the policy of A Way Home and the NGO sector support initiative and as the department that houses the gender equity unit, if he will consider directing EIA to coordinate and lead a policy approach in partnership with NGOs...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Apologies for not putting my hand up higher.

Continuing on the line of questioning that my colleague from Yellowknife North had, is there a substantiation that the health Minister can give around the increase of $13 million on the medical travel? Like, something that she could table in the House about the breakdown of why exactly it is so much more than it was previously? Because I don't feel like we're getting a clear understanding of why it's increased that much. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair and thank you to the Minister for clarification. So in essence, it's sort of a charge back pot is what I heard, so thank you for that.

I have corresponded with the Minister several times around medical travel when residents feel compelled to go south and make appointments and book things on their own on various topics, not any one topic, and the information I have received back is that her department is constrained by the NWT-Canada health transfer around using health care -- private health care facilities and so reimbursing folks who use private facilities, that sort of...

I think that's all for here and for me. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note that there is a $740 -- or $740, my goodness, if only -- $740,000 allocation to support 8-1-1 now that the Government of Canada has ceased to fund 8-1-1. My question for the Minister is, is this going to be an expected ongoing cost? I am hoping that it will. 8-1-1 is a great help to many constituents. Thanks, Mr. Chair.