Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So the page, maybe, that the Minister is looking at for 2018-2019 shows 83 in headquarters and 15 in the Beaufort Delta; is that correct? Thanks, Mr. Chair. For 2018-2019? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, I'm looking at page 173, and it shows a two-person reduction from 2017-2018. It seems to be located in the Beaufort Delta. Can someone tell me what those two people do and why the reduction is being made? Thanks Mr. Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Again, I want to thank the Minister for that. I'm sure that he will think about or would probably be able to give that briefing to committee in public, as I know there are a lot of interested folks across the Northwest Territories that would be curious to hear him make that presentation.

The Minister has spoken in the past about how we do have a bit of a complicated health system here with the NWT Health and Social Services Agency. There's the Tlicho Community Services Agency, Hay River Health and Social Services Authority. How has the Minister starting to work...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I believe in transformation, as well, but I have a line item in a budget now that says you are going to reduce the expenditures by $900,000. If FNB doesn't come after you, I will ask the same question next year. Fair enough.

I want to move on to tobacco cessation. I know this is the general area to talk about it. One of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use is to increase the cost of the product. What kind of conversations has the Minister had with his colleague the Minister of Finance in terms of increasing tobacco cost, tobacco taxes to help reduce consumption and...

I would like to thank the Minister for his response. He sort of answered my next question. I believe he said that he was starting to put together the proposal for a territorial midwifery program. Is that something that he can share with the standing committee, and when would he be in a position to do that?

Thank, Mr. Chair. How is that going to be tracked and reported on? Is that something that we are going to see in the business plan next year? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I will return again to a program which has probably had one of the longest gestation periods in the history of this Assembly: midwifery. I have recounted in past statements a history which stretches back to 2012 when public advocacy prompted the government to commission a midwifery review and expansion analysis report. Options for implementation were developed leading up to a full rollout in 2016-2017.

In 2015, the Minister said he was still committed to introducing midwifery, but with no money, a further study and public consultation would take place. Another...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think this section of the budget is where the Minister indicated there were going to be three people hired to help with implementation of the agricultural strategy. Can the Minister tell us what those individuals are going to do generally? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes. So the Minister said that the $50,000 in this activity is for contract services. Can the Minister tell us what that money is going to be used for? Thanks Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Okay, I appreciate the help with that. Where in the department is the agricultural strategy funding located? Thanks, Mr. Chair. Is this the right section? Thanks, Mr. Chair.