Robert C. McLeod

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2016-2017. This document provides for an increase of $7.6 million to the 2016-2017 infrastructure expenditures budget. The major items in these Supplementary Estimates include:

$5.2 million for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the shortfall in the Air Tractor Fleet project due to the significant decline in the Canadian dollar resulting from declining oil prices in 2016.

$2.6 million for the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with the preparatory and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 19, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2017-2018, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member is correct. There was a scheduling conflict with one of the local Aboriginal governments. They were given an opportunity to have some input. We have had no requests from any other business or any other Aboriginal governments for some one-on-one time. That is what I know so far. I am sure there is opportunity if there are some scheduling conflicts to meet with our folks. Again, I go back to the written submissions and the evening sessions where they just have to take the evening off and provide some comment on how this is going to affect them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the format for each workshop included an invitation meeting during the day and then there will be an open session during the evening of day one. The regional Chamber of Commerce, they were invited to participate at the workshops.

The evening event is open to all residents and businesses including chamber staff, board members, local business, and community residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2017-2018. This document provides for an increase of $3.5 million to the 2017-18 infrastructure expenditures budget.

These estimates include the transfer of funding to the Department of Infrastructure, from the Department of Public Works and Services, and the Department of Transportation. This transfer will ensure the Department of Infrastructure has a full appropriation authority, starting April 1, 2017, to make capital investments in 2017-18, that were previously approved for...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2016-2017. This document provides for an increase of $28.4 million to the 2016-17 operations expenditures budget.

$22.9 million of these supplementary estimates is for the Department of Health and Social Services to provide additional funding associated with the higher-than-projected utilization of health programs, such as: hospital and physician services provided to NWT residents in southern jurisdictions; the residential placement of NWT adults and children in southern facilities so...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the expected start-up date is 2017. As for the exact time, I'd have to maybe confirm that and share that with Members, but it is 2017. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 19, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2017-2018, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make appropriations for operations expenditures for the 2017-18 fiscal year. It also sets out limits on amounts that may be borrowed by the Commissioner on behalf of the government, includes information in respect of all existing borrowing and all projected borrowing for the fiscal year, and authorizes the making of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Public Works and Services is responsible for overseeing the funding of the Arctic Energy Alliance. I will work with my counterpart to see what type of incentives that they have and what they will continue to provide. I will work with the Minister of Infrastructure to see what their plans are to continue this program.