Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Madam Chair. The money for the Arctic Energy Alliance programs and services, it just kind of fluctuates up and down. And I know I've raised the issue of at least one federal program that requires an energy audit by certified auditors, and there's only one or two of them or something here in the Northwest Territories. How do we increase the access to some of these programs that Arctic Energy Alliance is running? And has there been any progress made on a requirement of an audit before you do something and then again afterwards. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. I'm happy to talk with her more about that and get more information about Mactung in a timely manner.

The GNWT decided to try to market the Mactung property with the Cantung mine site with the federal government but all attempts seemed to have failed. Can the Minister explain what is going on with proposed sale of the Mactung property and when the taxpayers of the NWT can expect to recover their investment? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I guess I've seen a lot of money kind of moved around, shuffled around within this Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund agreement. And it looks like we're not able, quite frankly, to get money out the door. Maybe the criteria for accessing this money don't allow for folks to access it; I just don't really understand what the problems are. Can I get an explanation here. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le Président. Three months ago I asked about the attempts to sell the Mactung mining property and any lessons learned from that process. The ITI minister said "I am very hopeful that we'll be in a position to report back positively in short order." That didn’t happen.

Another attempt to sell the socalled "critical mineral" property has failed. This came to light with an April 4, 2022 Supreme Court of British Columbia filing by the appointed monitor for the property. There was no notice or communication from the Minister of this latest attempt to sell the property until the media...

Thanks, Madam Chair. So moving forward, would we expect, then, to have an increased supplementary reserve? You know, I also note that inflation is running nationally at 6.7 percent. Here in Yellowknife, 7.1 percent April to April. So is this something that we would want to do moving forward, is looking at increasing the supplementary reserve so that we don't end up eating into other surpluses or, God forbid, go into shortterm debt? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Yes, thanks, Madam Chair. So this is the first of a supplementary appropriation for the current fiscal year, and I expect that there's probably going to be at least two, maybe three more. What happens when we exceed that reserve amount and what does it mean? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that, and I'm sure he's going to tell me next whether the money started to flow.

But I mentioned the provisions in the agreement that cap fee increases for operators to 2.3 percent annually. And, you know, this is in an environment where nationally inflation is running at 6.7 percent. Here in Yellowknife, 7.1 percent. The Minister's confirmed the increase is above 2.3 percent will be allowed when deemed necessary. So what's the definition, Mr. Speaker, of "necessary" and when would the Minister allow increases beyond the 2.3 percent...

Merci, Monsieur le President. It’s been almost six months since the signing of the federal territorial agreement promising $10 a day child care for parents across the Northwest Territories. In reviewing the issues of implementation and delivery of benefits, I regret to say that a lot of progress still needs to be made.

The biggest issues remain putting money in the hands of parents who continue to pay for child care after the deal was signed and creating enough spaces to meet demand. The rebate money has to flow through the child care providers to the parents, and that can only happen when...

Merci, Madame le President. I move that the chair rise and report progress. Mahsi.

Merci, Madame la Presidente. Committee wishes to consider Committee Report Report 2919(2). Mahsi.