Sheryl Yakeleya

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to honour the life and legacy of Samuel Gargan, a respected Dene leader, a dedicated public servant, and a proud Northerner whose contributions have left an enduring mark in the Northwest Territories.

Born in 1948 at Redknife River, Sam's life was deeply rooted in the land and the people of the North. His journey was one of service, guided by a profound respect for tradition, community, and the natural world.

Prior to his election in 1983, Mr. Gargan worked as a counsellor with Higher North, was a classroom assistant at Elizabeth Ward School in Fort...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do support -- I will be supporting the motion. I think that, you know, reimburse them, to think about the seniors. And we talk about safe communities for residents and it's one of our priorities, so thinking about that and thinking about how even in my riding when people got evacuated from from here to -- like the Member from Monfwi said, to Vancouver, people are still dealing with the effects of that. And financially too, some people are still dealing with that. So I'm thinking about that and how we care for seniors, how Avens does a lot of work for -- even my...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to working with the community of Fort Providence to assess the full financial impact of the evacuation and consider additional reimbursements for those who face exceptional costs? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to speak on behalf of residents of Fort Providence who were forced to evacuate their homes this past summer due to wildfires threatening their community. This evacuation was not a short-term disruption; it lasted for almost two weeks. Due to the prolonged evacuation, individuals and families alike faced significant financial strain. Many had to pay out-of-pocket for fuel, food, lodging, and other essentials, often far from home and without access to support.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT's Emergency Evacuation Relief Program provides a one-time payment of $800 per...

Thank you. Is the Minister open to revising the emergency evacuation relief program to include tiered or extended support for longer evacuations with payments upfront, especially in remote communities where costs are significantly higher? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Finance.

What criteria does the Department of Finance use to determine the adequacy of financial support provided to evacuees under the emergency evacuation relief program and has the department reviewed whether the current funding levels meets the actual cost incurred by Fort Providence evacuees? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the Dene Zhatie translators here from the region. In the House are Sarah Gargan and Mary Jane Cazon and to thank them for their contribution to keep the language alive. Mahsi.

Thank you. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. She probably answered a little bit of this, but I need it to be on the -- say it again. Can the Minister say whether this work is dependent on applications for federal funding or more part of our government's budget initiatives? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister for NTPC.

Can the Minister explain whether there's currently a plan in place to supply power to Fort Providence and Kakisa from the Taltson Hydro Project. Thank you?