Steve Norn

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that the Chair rise and report progress.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Just looking at a line item on page 286. I looked throughout the book. A lot of the other departments have computer and hardware and software, and then they seem to have budgets throughout. There is always some money there to maintain equipment and whatnot for computers. On this one here, from actuals a couple of years back, there was $94,000 allocated, and all of a sudden, it stopped. Is there a reason for that, Madam Chair?

Thank you, Madam Premier for that response. I'm just going back to the letter, too. There is a reference there that is a roadblock. It's not a roadblock. I said to the media before this is like a checkpoint. It's a self-isolation measure. Even though we have our security checkpoints at the borders, and I don't mean to point, sorry, they're still bypassing our four major centres where people are supposed to self-isolate. They're still getting into the small communities. These checkpoints in the small communities work. For my next question, just from hearing her: can Madam Premier commit to...

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. For my Member's statement today, I would like to take the time here to thank all my constituents in my riding, in Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. COVID-19 has caused a lot of grief and disruptions for people all across this country, and in the North, there's no difference. As I mentioned before, we as Northerners are resilient and came together and helped those who were in need and made sure that our basics necessities were all covered.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to personally thank all the chiefs and councils in my riding, and please notify me if I leave anybody out. I want to recognize...

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to table a letter from the NWT Tourism to the Premier's Office supporting Frontier Lodge and the LKDFN. Marsi cho.

Thank you for that response. Again, just trying to get some better understanding for the other side: let's say if we have a committee meeting there right now, we couldn't do it. That is a problem. I need to bring more public awareness to this. We couldn't do any meetings right now as a House, just because it wouldn't be doable because of the lack of infrastructure there for this. I guess I will need some commitment. My next question is: what commitments can the Minister make to further improve Internet speeds in our smaller communities such as Lutselk'e?

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Just going back to my Member's statement about Internet speeds and Internet connectivity, my questions are for the Minister of Finance. My question is: have there been any recent efforts from her department to help improve Internet speeds in our small communities? Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to talk about the cost of the speed of home Internet and home Internet rates in the NWT, and how we're all connected during this pandemic. One thing I've noticed during this crisis, and I've mentioned this before, is that many of our territory's long-standing issues, such as lack of housing, lack of access to healthcare, and also lack of access to high-speed Internet, have all been amplified issues for people across the NWT.

Internet need in particular has been more pronounced than usual, especially because everyone has been required to stay home for a...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we rise and report progress.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have nothing further.