Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a recent report by Statistics Canada has shown that the gender gap between a man's earnings and a woman's earnings has shrunk by $0.10 since 1981. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Status of Women what response this government has to shrinking that gap even further here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think our capital region is, of course -- there's a significant population, like half the territory, that lives here and that wants to avail themselves of recreational opportunities, but also we have the TerraX mining operation at the Yellowknife Gold Project that is seeking clarity around these issues. There are also our partners in Indigenous nations that are seeking clarity of these issues. Apart from the recreational land use framework, is anything being done by the department to clarify land use for Yellowknife and its surrounding areas?

I remain unconvinced. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, previously in the House I raised a question to the Minister responsible for Lands on the issue of land use planning; specifically, the mandate commitment to finalize land use plans. Today, I want to turn that line of questions towards the Yellowknife area, and specifically what is being done to finalize a land use plan for Yellowknife and the surrounding areas? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and it's nothing that's before the House for consideration, it's merely how the Bureau of Statistics calculates household costs. I appreciate the comments from Mr. Neudorf.

Now, the witness has indicated that this was a breakdown of Yellowknife and I think that's prudent on one level, considering it is a cost increase to the Yellowknife Airport, but as honourable Members from smaller communities have mentioned this impacts them as well. So did the department do an analysis of the average transportation costs of someone living in Norman Wells, someone living in Inuvik, all...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I should note the household statistics seem to be lumped under one line "Transportation," is that correct or is there separate data being collected on air transportation? Did the department just multiply that transportation line and base its analysis on that or did it base its analysis on specific air costs? Thank you

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I suppose it's a bit clearer, but I think committee had a different understanding when we embarked on our report.

The other thing, the Minister made reference that carbon taxes and other cost of living increases are not part of this plan, but I would argue that our cost of living has everything to do with the Yellowknife Airport and any fees need to be carefully measured. The committee has recommended that the airport fees be implemented over time rather than all at once.

Now the Minister has already said that he disagrees with that, but does he further disagree with the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This has been a long road coming to this place for Bill 7. Initially it came to committee and some details were omitted that didn't allow proper analysis. It went back for review for 120 days and committee has had time to consider it. Those public consultations, at least for me -- and I'll be clear, I am speaking for myself as an honourable Member of this House -- those public consultations were a real eye-opener for me. At first, the bill seemed an important step forward in delivering on crucial infrastructure improvements for the Yellowknife Airport and further economic...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some analysts have taken a look at these, the most recent statistics, and seen that improving women's participation in the labour force might actually offset some declines. This could be an economic drive for getting more women into the work force. Will the Minister commit to applying that kind of gender-based analysis to things like Skills 4 Success and other government initiatives in her role of Minister for the Status of Women so we can start to see those benefits roll out in across the government approach to empowering women in the Northwest Territories across...

Those are concrete steps. I know this is a complicated topic. Another issue is that Canadian women are less likely to be employed. Nearly 10 per cent are less employed than men and are four times are more likely to work part-time compared to men. Often, this is due to child care. Does the Minister have any suggestions or proposals that this government will do to improve access to affordable child care in the Northwest Territories?