Kate Reid

Thank you, Madam Chair. So on page 7 or sorry, 272 I need new glasses the line item for Arctic Energy Alliance, can you confirm that's a transfer for their O and M operating budget? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And because, you know, I know the department is familiar with my interest in this area, I'm curious how the evaluatory capacity across the GNWT will play into how quickly GRI can be fully envisioned. So I believe I asked the Minister of ECE the other day how many folks worked for their preunit. I think it's seven, if memory serves. And I believe the preunit in ECE is the only dedicated evaluation unit in the GNWT. And I'm just yeah, I'm just wondering what the vision for GRI expediency looks like in the Department of Finance. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, can the Minister please speak to and I'll let them open up their business plan, I've got page 183. Can the Minister please speak to whether or not the new highway conditions map and recording system Drive NWT, which is an initiative spoken to in the business plan, will that piece be included in the NWT Alert mapping program? Is there any desire to see that come together under one piece under the NWT Alert? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So I'm not sure of the full complement of folks working for the MBS, but could the Minister, or the deputy minister please, explain how many folks in MBS are working on GRI, please. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and just getting my time back. This is my favorite department, apparently.

So a real quick question for the Minister. The item for the bureau of statistics, I understand it's static since the last fiscal year, but prior to that there was quite a significant reduction. Can the Minister speak to why that might be. Thank you.

Yeah, thanks, Madam Chair. And I don't necessarily disagree with the Minister on that answer. I'm very keen to see what this action plan will look like once it's developed. I think the Minister is quite frank in her assessments and I'm certainly am quite frank in what I experienced in the public service since the pandemic, and what I hear from former colleagues across the GNWT, the morale is not good. And I guess how does the Minister envision an action plan that will really truly address morale? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Well, I note that the Minister and her department has aimed to see this bill passed during the life of the Assembly and look forward to further updates when the bargaining is complete. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Although I appreciate that answer, and I think that's fantastic that more licensing opportunities are available online, I do not believe you can get your first NWT license online. So until that is the case, I'll keep asking for Saturdays in memory of the previous Member for Yellowknife North. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And, yeah, I don't disagree with the Minister on the importance of cyber security whatsoever. However, I think, you know, if there is a way to find some economies and savings in this line item, I mean, it would mean more money for programs and services delivered to the public, not that not having technology for our public servants isn't important but just, you know, I'm hopeful that the department can take a look at that and square that away. Thank you, Madam Chair. More of a comment.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And just for funzies, I'm going to ask the Minister if she'll consider opening the DMV on Saturdays. Thank you, Madam Chair.