Steve Norn

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to speak a bit about the COVID economic situation in the territories that is affecting the entire country. There is no doubt that a lot of businesses, large and small, have been taking a huge hit financially. Unfortunately, it is very likely that we will see some of these companies go under as a result, and a lot of jobs, too, with it.

Mr. Speaker, most economic experts are saying that this recession is actually worse than the 2008-2009 great recession that we endured 12 years ago. COVID-19 has induced a global economic recession that we have not seen since...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just one last comment. I think this is a great idea, but we just have to make sure that we always, like I said when I led in, plan for the worst, and make sure that we have as much built in so we have a protection for any of those worst-case scenarios. Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. When I first heard of this bill, the first thing that popped into my mind was you should always hope for the best and plan for the worst. I think, if a second wave for this COVID were to occur, this legislation would help with it; but, as the Member for Frame Lake did mention, it's important that we have really strong infrastructure in terms of Internet.

It brought up some concerns. Let's say, if I was visiting some constituents in Lutselk'e and, say, if I was staying at a bed and breakfast or at the Co-op and I wanted to go on the Internet, okay, we have a sitting that...

Marsi cho. That would be much appreciated. I have nothing further.

Moving along, are we doing page 241? We are? Band council subsidized leases. Madam Chair, can the Minister just describe what Indigenous groups this would be applicable for, what group this applies to? Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I'm glad there was a little bit of clarification, because my next question was: if you had to explain the accounting term to an elder, how would you do that? I guess you kind of caught a little bit of it. Thank you for that explanation. Why is this amortization for this department so high in relation to other departments? Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates, Department of Infrastructure; and also further, Madam Chair, we wish to consider Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for that response. I guess that leads me to another question. Let's say, if there was that one deciding vote, and it could be any one of us, we could be somewhere in any of the small communities, for whatever reason, and all the attention was on us. All of a sudden, it was that one vote. Would there be something built into this bill stating that you would suspend the sitting until we heard the vote come through? Marsi cho.

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that this committee defer further consideration of the estimates for the Department of Infrastructure at this time. Mahsi cho, Madam Chair.