Caitlin Cleveland

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I've had this conversation with the Minister before, just about concerns with making sure that NWT residents are able to have the same lawyer all the way through their legal aid needs and the consistency that that provides, and so I appreciate that information. Thank you.

One of the things that the Minister referred to was making sure that she maintains fairness within the housing lists. The housing lists that are created are created on a first come, first served basis, and then people are prioritized within those lists based on their needs. I feel that, if it's based on need and it's based on first come, first served, you are still maintaining the integrity of the process, but what you're allowing people to do is to access education. You're allowing them to access healthcare. Maybe somebody has a child, and they need to come to Yellowknife in order to access...

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Member for Great Slave covered off much of my questions. While we are here, I am wondering if the Minister can speak to the difference of roughly a million dollars between the 2019-2020 actuals? There is about a million-dollar difference where the budget has come down, and I am wondering why the budget changed so drastically between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 for Legal Aid Commission. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. I am wondering if the Minister will commit to removing the community residency requirement that is currently used by local housing authorities and local housing organization in communities across the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. On page 280, there is contributions of offender reintegration. Would that be considered the after-care supports received by inmates when they are released from care? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. One of the things that comes out of the corrections budget would be anything associated with any ways in which the Minister intends to address the concerns raised in the employee assessment done. I'm wondering, given that there isn't an increase in this budget, if the Minister feels that the concerns addressed in the employee assessment will be able to be met with the existing budget. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. No, that is amazing news, and that is really great. I think that opportunities for summer students and interns as well as northern hires within different areas of energy and strategic initiatives is such a commendable investment, especially when students, if they are coming back from university, if they are going to small communities, energy and strategic infrastructure initiatives is something that every community needs. Congratulations to the Department of Infrastructure for that one, and I encourage them to continue that year after year.

My next question is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that the Standing Committee on Social Development report on Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act be received and adopted by the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I appreciate that clarification. My first point was that I don't know how this is going to increase as substantially as it is shown here between the 2020-2021 revised estimates and 2021-2022 when there is still a recommendation not to travel for this year. My concern is that I feel this revenue is actually quite high, given that we don't have a lot of people coming in and out of the territory. That was my concern there. I appreciate what the Minister said about the waiving of fees and such. My next question is: is there an intention of the Department of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When people are working and our economy is booming, the North feels different. Meaningful employment improves mental health outcomes, increase in school attendance, jumpstarts community participation, and decreases social support demand. Our North success is deeply rooted in the GNWT's ability to support northern small and medium businesses that rely on the financial influx of public service procurement.

This past Sunday, Industry, Tourism and Investment completed its second online public engagement session to gather feedback from northern entrepreneurs as part of a...