Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Madam Chair. So if the strategy and an action plan has been done, when can we expect this funding to actually be increased? You know, we're losing quite a bit just due to CPI, and I don't think things like the community harvester assistance program have been increased for probably decades. So when can we expect to see some more money there. And maybe the Regular MLAs, we're going to work to maybe get some more money there but what's the Minister's thinking on this? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Yeah, okay, thanks. Well, glad to hear that some of the concerns, and they were pretty serious, were actually acted on. But I guess are the Regular MLAs going to get to see that before it's approved by Cabinet, I guess is my question. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Okay. Yeah, I'm a bit worried about that because I think we're going to be taking on some significant new things with that legislation when it's brought forward. And so what would be the process of identifying if there's new needs and would that be brought in through a supplementary appropriation? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Merci, Monsieur le President. In the last sitting, I questioned why the Minister and Department of Lands had contracted a southern accounting firm, Ernst & Young, to look at the use of surety bonds in the NWT to cover environmental liabilities. The sole source contract has now ballooned to over $230,000. I also questioned why the department appears to have placed this work at the top of its agenda after a request from the mining industry to accept this form of financial security.

It's not clear how surety bonds fit into the stalled development of regulations for the Public Land Act unless the...

Thanks. 99.99, that's pretty good so I'll take it. Yeah, I'll just try to continue the roll here.

So the contributions for supporting sustainable land use management are declining from 142 to 90. Can I get an explanation, please.

Yeah, thanks, Madam Chair. So given that this is a new department that's going to be created as of April 1st, one of the things that usually happens is you get an establishment policy that for new departments. And I'm just wondering where we're at with an establishment policy for this new department? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thanks, Madam Chair. So there's some changes to the number of positions found on 102 between last year and or the current year and what's proposed for next year. Can I just get a quick summary of what those changes are? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I want to turn to page 88, the nature fund protected areas. It's showing zero for 20232024. Can I get an explanation? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I move that this committee defer further consideration of the estimates for the Department of Environment and Climate Change at this time. Mahsi, Madam Chair.

Oh yes, no further questions. Thanks, Madam Chair.