Wally Schumann

Thank you for that question. We only were in deficit for that one year, but with the implementation of our new programs, that's the expected growth of this program.

Thank you. To my left is Ms. Susan Craig, director of finance. On my immediate right is Ernie Campbell, deputy minister. On the far right is Dr. Erin Kelly, assistant deputy minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the concern about PY positions in the communities. Moving forward, we will do what's deemed to fit the ENR's business practice as best as possible and we will continue to look at hiring as many people as possible in the communities as the fire season event moves on in the current fiscal year. We will try to hire more people as needed and we will be committed to that. ENR is always committed to hiring as many fire personnel in the communities as we can. I look forward to maybe discussing it with the Member. Thank you.

Upon doing the review of the fire crews for the Northwest Territories, we changed from a five-man crew to a four-man crew and redistributed the resources territory-wide, and what the Member is saying is not totally accurate. We went from 28 crews to 36 crews across the Northwest Territories, and have added additional crews to a couple of communities, I think in Tsiigehtchic and Wekweeti.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Betty and Rocky Simpson from Hay River South. Welcome.

Yes. There is $100,000 from each department plus ENR is $125,000 so $325,000 total

That is a regional function.

Thank you.

Yes. The Member is correct. That's exactly what we were expecting.

I will get Ms. Craig to answer that.