Kate Reid

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So that's -- I can understand that. I can understand it's a lens that you put in decision papers, so thank you for that.

So historically, this division has supported the government renewal initiative. I know that they continue to, I believe, renew -- review these initiatives that come in from departments. I understand, too, that there's movement to eventually put that work back on departments and put that in their wheelhouse. But will GRI be used to support any ongoing fiscal sustainability objectives of the GNWT? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Oh no, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that when updated timelines are available, they could be shared.

Mr. Speaker, I've heard that we need more data to support our applications for funding future transitional housing. Can the Deputy Speaker -- Deputy Premier please tell me if we have sufficient data to be seeking dollars both within Yellowknife and in our regions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's helpful. I do want to touch on one other line item in the comptroller general, and it's a very dramatic swing but in the other way. It would be environmental liabilities which in 2023-2024 actuals were $31 million approximately and now are down to $2 million. Can the Minister tell the story or substantiate those numbers? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Committee Report 21-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2023 Territorial General Election - Lowering Voting Age to 16, be received and adopted by the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. So when would the projections for 2024-2025 have been completed in the sort of timeline of -- I'm just trying to piece together, like, you know, if it cost approximately this same amount in 2023-2024 in actuals which would have been, I guess, at the end of 2023-2024, we went downwards for our estimate. That's, I guess, my main question is why did we project downwards when we were facing $7 million more in 2023-2024? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Happy Black History Month. Once again, the black advocacy coalition Up North, or Back Up North, is holding many free events and workshops throughout the month of February. Our territory is richer for all the contributions of its black residents from the worldwide diaspora, Mr. Speaker, and these events help us celebrate our neighbours.

Back Up North has already held a mental health workshop and a workshop on AI and the impact on black businesses. Still to come is a cooking workshop this weekend from 11 to 5 both days at Ecole Allain St-Cyr; and, on Saturday...

Certainly, not a problem. So in this year -- I'm looking at main estimate, page 178 -- the total estimate for medical travel assistance is $20,232,000. In the main estimates of 2024-2025, it was at $13,088,000. And then in the fiscal year prior to that, we have an amount of $20,295,000. So it's kind of like a bouncing ball. It was high, it went back to -- it went down, and now it's back up again, and I was just wondering what the rationale for all of that was. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

That's all for now.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, no, I would appreciate seeing that if it could be provided as well as the costing around the additional lab work, x-rays, and travel that the Minister mentioned. It just seems like an awful lot of money for a short amount of time but perhaps with more information, I'll be able to understand that better. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further.