Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Madam Chair. I move that this committee defer further consideration of Tabled Document 94119(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, at this time. Mahsi, Madam Chair.

Yeah, thanks, Madam Chair. I guess I have a funny feeling, though, that there's going to be some more another supplementary appropriation that's going to contain money that's required to help people in Hay River, and I'll certainly support that, but I think we're going to be making a bigger hole in that supplementary reserve than we would have liked. But I guess I'd like to get an explanation from the Minister, even with this supplementary appropriation, how does this affect the operating surplus in compliance with the fiscal responsibility policy? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thanks, Madam Chair. So is it expected that the fish plant is going to generate any revenues, and how would that offset this amount of money, and when would it kind of show up? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Yeah, thanks for that. I guess given the experience with climate variability, or dare I say climate emergency, over the last couple of years with floods, fires, etcetera, I think we have to seriously look at revising that supplementary reserve so we don't have to resort to shortterm debt and additional spending. What is the department going to do about this? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thanks, Madam Chair. First off, I love fish and I'll eat it as often as I can get it. But in here there's $2.2 million for operations of the Hay River Fish Plant, and just wondering is this going to be an ongoing expenditure over time or what's happening here? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Yeah, thanks, Madam Chair; that's what I was worried about. So there's only $2 million left in this supplementary reserve and we're, what, about maybe two months into the financial year, and there's probably likely to be maybe two, three more supplementary appropriations. What happens when that reserve is finished? Do we have to go shortterm borrowing and pay increased borrowing costs and so on; what happens? Thank, Madam Chair.

Thanks, Madam Chair. Well, I'm glad we came to the same conclusion. That was the figure that I had as well so glad the Minister was able to find that.

So this money here, is that going to prevent this from happening again? Is that what the basically that's what the objective is? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 94119(2) and Tabled Document 94019(2). Thank you. We'd like to consider the operations sup first and the infrastructure sup second. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thanks, Madam Chair. So one of the line items here is to provide funding for obstetrical services at Stanton Territorial Hospital, $762,000. Can someone just explain to me what period of time this covers and what this funding is going to be used for? Thank you.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I move, seconded by the Member for Thebacha, that Bill 91, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 2, be read for a second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act to establish an annual report with respect to the administration of carbon tax under the act. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.