Kevin O'Reilly

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.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am just wondering: what is the prospect of us actually reaching any final agreements with any of the outstanding negotiations between now and the end of the 18th Assembly? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to the Minister for that. I will pursue it with him a little later offline. It is my understanding that one of the ways to generate some benefits and revenues from significant discovery licences is to include terms and conditions in the original call for nominations and/or call for bids. Has the Minister considered this option, and are there any administrative policies or directives in place to allow for the imposition of annual fees for significant discovery licences that may be issued in the future?

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is helpful in understanding what the $250,000 is for. Can someone tell me where it is found on page 124? There are obviously some changes from the 2018-2019 revised estimates to what is prepared for 2019-2020. Can someone tell me where the $250,000 is found in those items? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. In my Member's statement I outlined the great post-devolution resource giveaway through the issuance of 10 significant discovery licences by our government. Our government will get no revenues, generate no taxes, and ensure no employment and no benefits from these areas that are now tied up virtually forever. Can the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment explain what options he had available when applications for post-devolution significant discovery licences were received in his office? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.