Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Conservation of wildlife in the Northwest Territories is a responsibility shared by governments, boards, and individuals through our co-management system. This Legislative Assembly has made a mandate commitment to develop range plans for boreal caribou in the NWT. Today I would like to share some significant news about those plans and our made-in-the-North approach to protecting boreal caribou in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, boreal woodland caribou are listed as a threatened species under both federal and territorial legislation. These caribou are distinct...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 2019-2020. This document provides for an increase of $4.1 million in the infrastructure budget.

The two items included in these supplementary estimates are:

$2.1 million for the Slave Geological Province Corridor project. These expenditures are fully offset by revenues from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency; and

$2 million for the replacement of the roof at William McDonald School in Yellowknife.

That concludes my opening remarks. Mr. Chair, I would be happy to answer any...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have to my right Mr. David Stewart, who is the deputy minister, Department of Finance, secretary to the FMB; and I have Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar, who is deputy secretary to the FMB. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think you will go through me to defer to Minister Schumann. Okay, we will do that.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2018-2019. The document provides for an increase of $2.5 million to the infrastructure budget.

The two items included in these supplementary estimates are:

$2.5 million to complete the implementation of junior kindergarten infrastructure in the remaining 10 schools; and

$374,000 for the Slave Geological Province Corridor Project.

These expenditures will be fully offset by funding from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

That concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair. I would be...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Through you, I'd like to go to Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member is correct. It is for engagement with the Aboriginal governments. Thank you.

The Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Education, Culture and Employment are preparing to undertake a feasibility study in 2019-2020 for a northern centre of excellence. The feasibility study has been reframed to focus on assessing institution models that best advance GNWT research priorities, grounded in those identified in the GNWT knowledge agenda, and building on the outcomes of the Aurora College Foundational Review process. The core team is finalizing an RFP for a feasibility study request for proposals, RFP. The RFP is anticipated to be completed and released at the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, it's $705,000. The Member said $705 million. It was a nice try, though. A nice try for the MLA.

---Laughter

It is correct that the $675,000, to my understanding, is on top of the money that was already appropriated, I believe, for the Indigenous; and it's $705,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The current staff complement, by my understanding, is 411 staff members in there, and I think, through the process, we are adding an additional 44. Thank you, Mr. Chair.