Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier if he can direct the federal envoy to begin discussions with the federal government on a clear plan to advance the asset -- or the asset potential and resource needs of the Yellowknife Airport. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has three major projects that it's identified as priorities: The Taltson hydroelectric expansion and submarine line, the Arctic Security and Economic Corridor, and the Mackenzie Valley Highway. We know the Mackenzie Valley Highway is well advanced. But all these projects are very important to the future of our economy. Today I want to ask the Premier if he views the Yellowknife Airport as a strategic asset worthy of that list. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this week, we continue our call for a red alert on the economy and for the -- primarily focused on the revitalization of our mining industry, starting with modernized regulations, expanded incentive programs, and an independent review of this sector's decline to drive the exploration needed to reignite the NWT economy. However, a world-class mining sector needs more than just incentives and policy changes; it also needs robust infrastructure.

Recently, newly proposed projects are emerging to better connect the North with global markets. Chief among these is...

Thank you. And I know it's not matching, but the criteria is very much dependent on you use your surplus before you get to these numbers. And that has caused consternation from some school education bodies who have expressed concern about this. And I want to stress that education bodies are not in a position to criticize programs every time I've met with them regardless of where they're at in the territory or which region they serve. It is very clear that this is a -- you know, they have a lot of needs and students with a lot of needs and are chronically underfunded. So anytime funding comes...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Well, I appreciate that answer. I would love to ask those questions to the federal Ministers directly, so I'll take that as an invitation to join the Minister on the next trip to Ottawa. That's what -- I think that's what I heard, but I'll follow up with her. Maybe they will this time.

Okay, so -- okay, the total -- we just heard the total amount for JP funding last year was $58.6 million. So if we -- do we have a calculation for -- if we remove the multi-year funding that is not being lost, so for school districts like Yellowknife Catholic schools that have multi-year...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, one of the reasons I'm interested is I've been speaking with paramedics and they'd like to be regulated and they'd like to see an Act. So lest a Member bring it forward in the Private Member's bill, which probably isn't what the Minister wants to hear, when can we get assurances that there will be a bill in this House to review, to vote on, that will regulate paramedics and allow them to do the jobs that are so crucial for our communities, especially our small communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today the health Minister delivered a statement about care in small communities that included two recommendations that have been adopted by this working group that includes bringing paramedics into the model of care for small communities. The Northwest Territories is one of, I believe, only two jurisdictions in Canada where paramedics are unregulated. We don't have legislation covering paramedics. So how does she intend to do this without legislation to do so? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reason I brought it up is the theme of the corridor is one of corridors, not any one project as the Premier alluded to, but also the defence aspects of it. We have DND and NORAD funding that's waiting to be unlocked. So will the Premier join the calls from Yellowknife's city hall to the Yellowknife chamber and encourage the investment in the Yellowknife Airport as part, wrap it in, the Arctic Security and Economic Corridor because it fits in with the mandate and it's a vital asset that's not -- that's currently underutilized, and we're sitting on...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wish to join the Premier in welcoming Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty here to the chamber. I had the honour of serving with him in the 18th Legislative Assembly, and I consider him a very good friend. So thanks for being here today, Grand Chief.

Thank you. I just think we need to have some very clear reporting on it just so we understand it. But maybe that is a question for the education Minister.

Finally, I guess if we could put it into terms, we often ask this, like how much money is represented when it's being spent on staffing in particular or programs, how much does it actually represent. So out of $14 million, how many EAs is that employing or EA positions is that creating? Thank you.