Rylund Johnson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, a "no" would have sufficed. I actually don't have any idea how much this project costs, and what we're talking about.

Can the Minister tell me how much money we've spent to date on this project and how much money this Assembly has approved? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Did I move it already, Madam Chair?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today and speak about transparency in infrastructure budgeting.

Last fall in this House, we passed a confidential amount for the Whati Power Project. We're not allowed to say how much we passed. We also know the total amount of that project but it's confidential information. And when you ask the government why we can't talk about how much a specific project says, they say oh, it'll affect tendering. Yet, Mr. Speaker, I just don't believe that is remotely true.

A comparable project, the Fort Providence Transmission Line, we know costs $60 million. In...

Against.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Information and Privacy Commissioner Committee Report was read into the record on Monday, May 30th, 2022. This is an annual report as both the Health Information Act and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act require that the Information and Privacy Commissioner file an annual report.

I'd like to thank Mr. Andrew Fox, who appeared before committee on February 10th, 2022. He has stepped into that role after a long time Information and Privacy Commissioner, and he has done great work.

Committee has made a number of recommendations, which I will speak to...

In favour.

In favour.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Madam Chair.

For.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide an update on complying with Section 72(1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which requires the head of a public body to establish and publish categories of records to be made available to the public without a request for access;

AND FURTHER, the update should include a summary of the progress achieved so far and the timelines for full compliance at each public body. Thank you, Madam Chair.