Frieda Martselos

The other one I want to just ask a further question on is kind of on the same lines as one of my colleagues asked, Madam Chair. That is the $66,444,000, the contract services. It was stated that 87 percent of it went to Northerners. The big list that we got on one of our documents, there was a lot of businesses on there that are BIP, but I would not consider them northern, myself, if they are not owners in the Northwest Territories. I am just wondering: how is 87 percent quite possible? Like, I want to make sure because there is a concern about northern content. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, so it's more discretionary I take it?

The other thing that I am interested in is the regional projects. What does the $2,951,000 entail?

Thank you, Madam Chair. On page 240, I am just wondering about the allocations for the airport operations. I have always been interested in airports lately, and I guess I was wondering if I can get a detailed allocation for airport operations.

Can the Minister explain what the current stage that the Taltson hydro expansion is in and what comes next?

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 global pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty and delays for much of our daily life. My question is: does the Department of Infrastructure still consider this project as a priority for the 19th Assembly, the Taltson expansion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

No, Madam Chair.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide a timeline for when the people of the NWT can expect this project to be built and operational? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Given the economic fallout that the COVID-19 has created for our economy, this type of project is more important than ever to help spur economic growth. Can the Minister tell us whether any aspect of this project has been changed or has been delayed since the start of the 19th Legislative Assembly?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For my Member's statement, I am going to talk about the importance that the Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project continues to have for the economy of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, in my response to the Commissioner's address the other day, I discussed the Taltson expansion as a key priority of mine for the 19th Legislative Assembly. However, this priority is not only my own as it is actually an official mandate item on the priorities list of the entire 19th Assembly. Therefore, it is incumbent on all of us in this House to ensure that this major infrastructure project gets...