R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So if we're speaking specifically about defense infrastructure, that's something we have to leave up to the military. I don't have the wherewithal to tell the military where they should build a base to best deter the Russians or anything like that. That being said, we -- I've been having conversations, as I mentioned earlier. I spoke with Minister Blair earlier this week and I said that, you know, it's important that we are involved when they are putting their mind towards military spending. If there's going to be an expansion of, say, in Inuvik of the military presence...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So when we started this term, Canadian sovereignty and Arctic security weren't on the tops of our list of priorities given that, you know, those are federal mandates; however, they've come to the forefront of discussions all across Canada and especially here in the Northwest Territories. And so a lot of the work that we have been doing actually feeds directly into the notions of sovereignty and security. By advocating for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and putting that infrastructure in place, that is increasing our sovereignty, assuring our security. And that was...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not tearing up contracts. We're ensuring that as we move forward and contracts end and where we can get out of contracts at no cost to the people of the territory and at no -- and in a way that doesn't impact the safety of residents or staff, that we're doing that. So all of that said, the direction that has been given to departments has not changed. I don't want to flip flop back and forth depending on what the news of the day is, and so the direction remains the same. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Premier, I would also like to acknowledge that Ian’s family is here with us in the House today. I want to welcome them to the House to share in this celebration of his life and accomplishments. And on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I want to extend my sincerest condolences. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, I will present Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Children's Law Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would say that when we engage the federal government, we want to package our asks in a way that is going to be palatable for them, in a way that they are going to want to consume. And Arctic security, Arctic sovereignty, is very sellable right now to the federal government, and so the Member can rest assured that it has been and will continue to be a major component of how we engage the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I don't have an update for the House on that. And, you know, I want to ensure that people understand that, you know, despite the actions of, you know, an individual in the United States, whether -- despite the fact that person might be the President, that, as a country, we remain steadfast in our unity and our approach to dealing with this situation. And, you know, people might be shaken by the removal of the tariffs today and the removal of some tariffs yesterday and the addition of other tariffs. But we're not shaken, Mr. Speaker. This is what we're in for the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand from the news that President Trump has put a pause on majority of tariffs that he was imposing on Canada, a pause on all the tariffs on the goods that are -- that fall under the Canada, US, and Mexico Agreement. I understand also from the news that the Prime Minister has said that the retaliatory tariffs will remain despite that pause because the goal is to end all tariffs and the threats of tariffs. And so I know I don't want to be bouncing back and forth, giving different direction to departments, depending on what the President says on a given day, and...

Thank you. No, so youth can also apply directly to -- they can apply directly. They don't have to wait for a judge to order it. Thank you.

. Thank you. I'll ask the deputy minister to speak to that.