Kevin O'Reilly

Merci, Monsieur le President. On January 18th, the Standing Committee on Social Development heard a very interesting presentation from representatives of the NWT Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Unit, otherwise known as Hotii ts'eeda, which is hosted by the Tlicho Government. Their vision is to support health, research, and training that is rooted in Dene Naowo, lnuvialuit, and Metis knowledge and responds to the needs of patients, communities, and governments.

Hotii ts'eeda recently released a very interesting discussion paper on building a knowledge economy. I strongly support this...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Minister, in his opening remarks, talked about how there was a $250,000 increase for finalizing and implementing lands, resources, and self-government agreements. Is that the line item that is found on page 124? There seems to be a $250,000 increase just for implementation. Is that what the Minister's opening remarks refer to? Thanks.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to recognize a couple of Pages who are residents of Frame Lake: Monika Kunderlik and Grady Stabel. They have been working with us throughout this long sitting, and I really appreciate their efforts. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. If there is that much over, why is there no difference, then, between the main and the revised estimates shown in the two middle columns, 2018-2019, for travel, or is this something that only shows up, then, in the public accounts? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Minister also talked about increases in travel. The travel budget, if you look further down on page 121, it is almost double back to 2017-2018. It is now $420,000. Even from last year, it was $170,000. That's a huge increase. Is this travel, then, related to trips to Ottawa and Cabinet having these open houses in various communities throughout the Northwest Territories? Is that what's happening here? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am glad to hear the Minister say that. It is quite an antiquated piece of legislation. I would hope that it makes into transition reports from your side of the House and our side. That is something that needs to be done. That's all I've got, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am actually suggesting that. I think that is what a number of Regular MLAs have been suggesting for the last three years, the development of such a plan. It is fine to have more services available online, but not everybody has access to the Internet. Not everybody knows how to use the Internet. We have a growing population of seniors who, I think, would find that function particularly helpful. Can the Minister commit to preparing such a plan? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am trying to understand what the problem is here. If there are additional resources required, why not prepare a plan so that we know what those are and whether it is over three, five years, whatever, that is fine, and how that function is going to be carried out in the regional centres, the capital, to have the Single Window Service Centres. I don't understand what the problem is in preparing a plan. Can the Premier try again? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, and thanks for that reminder. I had forgotten about Deline. I guess I'll just express some concern. I'm not sure how much progress we're going to get between now and the end of the 18th Assembly. I think the mandate commitment was that we were going to complete all the negotiations, so I'm not sure we're going to be in a position to do that, and I'm concerned about it. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think Regular MLAs have been asking for three years, this will be the fourth year, if there is a plan to complete the Single Window Service Centres, GSOs, or similar functions for all of the communities of the Northwest Territories. Is there such a plan, and can the Minister share it with the Regular MLAs? Thanks, Mr. Chair.