Kevin O'Reilly

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Premier made a statement about a First Ministers’ meeting that is happening in Vancouver. This is an important meeting that he is going to. It's the first time in six years that the First Ministers have actually gotten together, and I'm sure I can say on behalf of all the MLAs that we're really glad that he is going and it's an important meeting. I'm wondering if he can tell the House, though, how he will be guided by the recently amended and adopted the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories 2016-2019. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'm just wondering who the department intends to engage with in developing those guidelines. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I too had the pleasure of greeting some of the midwifery representatives over the noon hour. It was early in the last Assembly when after much advocacy, work began on establishing a strong regional and capital city midwifery program. There were demonstrations, petitions, letter writing, and other campaigns. A commitment was made to expand the Fort Smith program to Hay River, the Beaufort-Delta, Behchoko, and Yellowknife. A start was made and we have since seen progress in Hay River and Fort Smith. In July 2015, the Minister said that the next goal was to move forward with...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to follow up on a couple of areas here that I've raised in the House around the Liabilities and Financial Assurances Division that's located in the Department of Lands. I just want to get some assurance from the Minister that there is funding in the first quarter of 2016-2017 to continue the current staff complement in that division. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. In the Department of Justice interim appropriation, I believe there is continued funding for programs related to family violence, and I'm just wondering if the witnesses can confirm that there is indeed funding for the first quarter for the New Day Program that's run out of the Tree of Peace. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, it is a question of consistency in spending in the first quarter. I am just wondering if the witnesses can tell me what is happening with ambulatory care services and what portion we are looking at spending in the first quarter of 2016-2017. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is helpful. I guess now we are getting somewhere. We are talking about maybe 20 per cent of the income security envelope being spent in the first quarter. Earlier, in the Minister's statement, he mentioned that we are looking at about 31 per cent on average. Why are we at 20 per cent for income security as opposed to 31 per cent throughout the rest of the departments on average? Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the Minister's response. Can he provide, then, some assurance that there is really no change in the income assistance and SFA programs in the first quarter for 2016-2017 as compared to the previous year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I appreciate the response from the Minister. I'm not sure I got an answer, though. I guess I'm seeking some assurance that this is a business-as-usual interim appropriation for the first quarter, and that it doesn't reflect any cuts or changes to programs that are offered through Arctic Energy Alliance or energy conservation initiatives that we would do ourselves in-house. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the Premier for that commitment. I look forward to the report. In his statement yesterday, the Premier said the Government of the Northwest Territories is also in the process of developing a strategy to ensure that the federal government understands territorial priorities and sets the groundwork for active partnerships in areas of common interest. The key phrase in this is “developing a strategy.” I’m wondering if the Premier would make the commitment to consult with the Regular Members as he develops this strategy, to help better convey what our...