Vince McKay

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board 2024 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, you know, the municipal funding that we distribute throughout all 33 communities are used to operate their municipalities. That was part of the new deal back in the day in order for communities to have a more hands-on grip of operating their communities because they're the ones that know best for their communities. So with that, the communities have the opportunity to operate their facilities and how they allocate those funds within their communities is the best way to do it. Also just keeping in mind there is funds available out there. Like I was saying earlier...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know as well, as much as the other Members do, that the government isn't going to fix all our problems. It takes a community to raise a community and, you know, some of the opportunities for the residents in those -- in his communities have the opportunity to take residents and -- or the residents have the opportunity to take an initiative to start making healthy choices for the communities. There are funds available, O and M funding for the municipalities, and like I said earlier, you know, MACA is looking at dealing or helping out with Fort Res in regards to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure the Member's aware the difficult situation Fort Resolution's in with their funding for their community and how their community is being operated by a public administrator. We normally -- communities run their rec coordinators or youth representatives through their O and M, out of their municipal funding, and that's usually decided on by your municipal councils and stuff. But MACA is working with the community to see what options are available with the current funding they have. A lot of this money that is being used right now is part of the debt repayment plan...

Mr. Speaker, effective emergency management and preparedness are critical to the safety and well-being of Northwest Territories residents. Today I want to recognize individuals and groups whose dedication and efforts have helped keep the NWT communities safe.

The Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award is a national recognition for outstanding contributions to emergency management. Federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers present this award to highlight efforts in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This year's NWT recipients are the Department of Environment and Climate...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Plain Language Summary for Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act; and, Statement of Consistency for Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know every province and territory is different on their coverage for different types of cancers, and I know that some of the cancers that he's raised, I know, like, some of them are, like, 20 years in the service, that kind of thing. So I'm unaware if the work is being done on changing the timelines on them. But this is something we can look into and see if it's reflecting on what's the -- you know, the kind of standard or what's going on across the jurisdictional scan across Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update Members on the implementation of new community government funding allocations that will come into effect April 2025.

MACA distributes over $110 million in annual funding through the community government funding policy. While this funding was never intended to cover 100 percent of community funding costs, the funding helps community governments cover the costs of core programs and services like clean drinking water, local roads, recreation, and public safety.

Mr. Speaker, these policies have remained unchanged in over 15 years. In 2024, MACA undertook a...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member from Hay River North, that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, be read for the second time. The bill will amend the Workers' Compensation Act to improve and update the way long-term benefits are calculated for permanently injured workers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, and I hear the Member, and I do agree this is something that we need to work on. We'll continue to work, and we're in a unique situation where we share with Nunavut the responsibilities, and we'll continue to work with them and see how we can push this or get this through.

However, you know, workers are covered, and that's what emergency services are. They are workers. So there are some cases where they are covered under the Workers' Compensation Act. In fact, in the Act on page 28 shows a list of items that can be covered under workers. So there is some...