Kate Reid

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today my questions are for the Minister of Finance on a different topic.

I have been advocating in the background for a more streamlined liquor licensing process for special events. So, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me if a cohesive package that includes both liquor permitting and occupancy load permit processes for special events is going to be launched on the spring timeline that the Minister previously referenced last October? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During her budget address, I heard the Minister of Finance say the true story of the NWT is its people. And that is true, and the true story of the GNWT is also its people.

One of my favourite headlines I think in recent years comes from a September 2022 Cabin Radio article which reads: GNWT job satisfaction increasingly resembles shrug emoji.

So now, after evacuation, fiscal restraint fears, and constant negative news filling our social media feeds, it's a second full-time job for every resident to wake up with hope and desire for a better future some days. Public...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, that's interesting and good news and probably will alleviate a lot of stress for people on the last-minute end of things.

I have a question from the business plan, and I apologize if this is not the correct area or activity to discuss it. I might have missed my chance under the policy group; however, I would note that in the business plan update that the Insurance Act and Payroll Tax Act have been dropped from the legislative initiatives listing in the business plan. And I recognize that all of Cabinet has done an undertaking to prioritize legislation coming forward...

I'll give you your 10 seconds back, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, I do appreciate that detail but it is still one analyst, so my previous question around who is overseeing a central function of evaluation, or is there a contemplation of a central function of evaluation throughout the GNWT and its agencies? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And so something caught my ear just now. How does the Minister define higher need for evaluation and how will departments be supported as that function devolves into their hands to identify highest need programs for evaluation? What are we basing that decision on? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Do you mean Great Slave?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With regards to the NTPC line under directorate, it has been removed entirely, and I'm just wondering if the Minister can confirm whether contributions to NTPC are expected to continue in future years to offset increased costs, or does the department have a long-term plan to minimize those contributions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me if her staff is working with the MACA's Office of the Fire Marshal so that frequently used venues will have an expedited process for liquor license and special events when the Liquor Act regulations package is complete. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to recognize my page Sarah Gacula, and I'm sorry if I said your name wrong. I'm very happy to have you here, and I hope you have a future in politics if that's what you want. Have a good time at your Assembly. Thank you.