Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the last time the NWT designed this program, did the federal government not accept what we brought forward? Because, Mr. Speaker, it sounds like there's a chance that we'll design something, we'll send it, and Mark Miller will say no and send it back to the Minister for improvement. Like, I just want to understand the process because we're not getting straight answers today and, again, people are worried. People are worried they're going to be deported from the Northwest Territories. And we can't let them -- have them living in that kind of fear. So can the...

Thank you. I appreciate this is complicated because there's, like, the 7 percent increase that happened has already happened and then that's being compounded into the GRA. But I guess my concern is if it's not -- if it's still like the same, you know, 25 increase but we're doing all these things to lower it but the increase in front of the PUB is still there, that doesn't -- and it doesn't reflect a subsidy, then NTPC is asking for more than it needs, and I would like that not to be the case. So can -- does the Minister confirm that, like what the PUB will be considering is the -- or the rate...

Mr. Speaker, I think -- I mean, I think that's a reasonable think people are looking for. If they're looking for clarity, they don't have it, they're going to be experiencing anxiety until they do. These are people who are worried about their future. We can kind of give them something. So can the Minister at least give me a very clear date when the full program will be available for the public to see so we can start easing those fears? Thank you.

Thank you. So has the rate application been modified with the advent of this $12 million? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I spoke about the Northwest Territories Nominee Program. I know that this has been an area of concern for a lot of my constituents, a lot of people in the community, both business owners and people in it the program who are worried if they're going to get kicked out of the Northwest Territories. I know the Minister's been active on this file. Can she update this House as to what people can expect when the new intake occurs for the NTNP program? Thank you.

Thank you. My -- I have $80 million in my head on, like, a general kind of subsidy. I don't know if it wraps up everything in that, but that's my recollection from perhaps the main estimates. But does that number sound accurate at all? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Asked and answered so I'll cede my time.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When is the last time the supplementary reserve was not exceeded from what it was initially budgeted at in the mains? Like, is there any time in -- that the officials probably -- because I don't expect the Minister to know this. But is there any time that it hasn't -- that it's been kept to what we've -- what the ledge has voted it at? So right now it's $35 million. Has there ever been a time when supplementary expenditures have been kept underneath the limit that's set by the main estimates? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The supplementary appropriations are rarely a subject of significant debate in the House because they are -- you know, they're required to address money that's already been spent. But I think given the uncertain times we're in, given that there's a push for fiscal sustainability and fiscal discipline especially so we have resources to invest in the right priorities, I think it's appropriate to kind of take a look -- a deep -- a more careful look at how money's being spent. And there's some -- everything in here is very important. I'll be clear on that. And no one would...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was planning to speak to this, which I will do now, I suppose, so if the Member will kindly give me his -- yes, his time.

So the -- during the course of debate on this line item, the Minister offered to -- I think the quote my learned friend has written down, happy to bring it back to Members. So some questions were raised to the Minister around the power rate subsidy. There are a few questions, and her own evidence before the committee or words in the committee where we can work more with Members, you know, we can take some more time to get more information...