Caroline Cochrane

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The process of the budget negotiations is just that. It's a process of negotiations with Regular Members. I think that the Minister of Finance, myself as Premier, and all the Cabinet, have heard directly from Members in this session about the importance of housing. I know that in the last budget that there was an increase; thank you to Members for further increase with this hearing now again.

I'm not going to say that I'm going to just put in an amount. I have one vote in finance; I don't have seven votes, you know. And so I know it's a need for us. But what I would like...

Yes, Mr. Chair, I'd like to bring in Martin Goldney, the deputy minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs and secretary to Cabinet.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Absolutely, I do know that, yes, the coinvestment money was a carveout and it was from the work of last Assembly; however, it was did come into effect in this Assembly. So that is money on the table.

I also know that we're constantly talking. Like I said, it's the biggest priority that we have, I think all of us as Members of this Assembly. So it's not only are we asking at the table. We've identified it in our budget ask to the federal government. Hopefully, we'll see the budget should be coming out in the next month or so hopefully. And so hopefully we'll see more...

In favour.

For.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd just like clarification. Exactly what is the Member wanting to get changed out of this how we do it? I want to make sure that I'm clear with that direction. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents:

The letter to Prime Minister from Northern Premiers dated March 2nd, 2022, regarding Arctic Security; and the letter to Chair of the Council of the Federation from the Northern Premiers dated March 3rd, 2022 regarding Arctic Security. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

For.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the MLA knows me well and she's just trying to testing me, but she's right. One size doesn't fit all. I know that we've you know, and I come from the NGO world. I'm a social worker by degree, and people always said one stop shopping and I've always been the one that says no, because what happens when that one person can't go in that building; they have nowhere else to shop. So, you know, I always say that you need to have flexibility in programs.

The reason I say that it's really important and it's a huge milestone that the Council of Leaders is actually doing a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The responsibility for new businesses is the Minister of ITI. I'd like to defer the question to the Minister of ITI. Thank you.