Kevin O'Reilly

Thank you to the Minister for that list of legislation. We've got the list now. How does the regulation of cremation fit into the legislative agenda for the department? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, monsieur le President. I, too, would like to thank all the students for coming out and watching the proceedings in the House today. I also have two pages who are serving us in the House today. Ethan Horn and Mia MacInnis are from the Frame Lake riding. Welcome to the House, and thank you for your service. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So we get $1.8 million in applications for a fund that is $500,000. That, to me, sounds like a pretty good case for why we should increase the pot of money. I understand the Minister wants to develop some sort of an evaluation framework, but I understood this evaluation framework was much broader than just looking at the value for this money that is invested. I had understood that the evaluation framework was really looking at: are we making progress towards eliminating poverty? Maybe the Minister can help me understand this. Thanks.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am looking at page 168, the anti-poverty fund that is listed on this page. I am just wondering if I could confirm with the Minister that he is of the view that the money that is given out through this program is generally to NGOs and that NGOs make good use of this money and that we are getting really good value for the money that is spent there. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the response from the Minister. Can he, though, provide some assurance that there have been consultations, particularly with the Council for the Disabled? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I'm happy to wait, Mr. Chair. I might have another question. Is this where there might be some discussion of the action plan on disabilities?

No further questions. Thank, you, Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I want to start off with some good things, and I did mention this in my reply to the budget address, but there are some good things in this budget. There is some extra money in here for extended hours for a homeless shelter here in Yellowknife. There's also some additional money for a sobering centre here in Yellowknife. Those are some of the good things in here.

One of the biggest issues for me with this particular budget is the sustainability of our healthcare system, and this was something that was raised to me during a recent constituency meeting, as well. We want to give...

I appreciate the answer from the Minister. It is good to know that there are going to be some consultations around this issue, but I have raised the issue of capacity of Cabinet and their departments to bring forward legislation before. What would it take to move forward with legislation to regulate cremation and to allow a local business to grow and provide our residents with better services at lower costs?

Merci, monsieur le President. My question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. The department has said that it has a heavy legislative workload. Can the Minister explain what legislation her department expects to bring forward during the life of this Assembly? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.