Caroline Wawzonek

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 20212022. These Supplementary Estimates propose a total increase of $17.2 million, $16 million of which will be offset by revenues from the Government of Canada. Notable items which are federally funded include:

$4.9 million in support of First Nations and Inuit home and community care;

$3.2 million to reduce risk in longterm care facilities during the COVID19 pandemic;

$2.8 million in support of early learning and childcare programs;

$979,000 in support of the Regional Air...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, that's a level of detail I'd have to turn to the Department of ECE for, I think. I'm not sure if Minister Simpson's in a position to speak to that.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I am here to present Tabled Document 46619(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 4, 20202021.

These Supplementary Estimates propose an adjustment of $10.31 million to the authorized longterm borrowing limit established under the Appropriations Act, Operations Expenditures, 20202021.

These Supplementary Estimates will ensure the Government of the Northwest Territories is in compliance with the Financial Administration Act by reflecting the borrowing limit for a debt greater than 365 days for the 2020-2021...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's not an appeals process specific to this benefit for employees. Certainly, given that it is certainly part of the collective agreement, if an employee is concerned that it's not being abided by they are encouraged to go and speak to their union representative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm certainly not speaking as a scientist any more than I am on behalf of the Government of Nunavut. But in terms of the assessments that are taking place, those assessments are environmental assessments and geotechnical assessments and assessments of the terrain, and it is information that does include scientific understanding and scientific study of what is in the area. From the perspective of wanting to determine an appropriate route, but it's one that certainly adds to our knowledge of the region, certainly adds to our knowledge of the region in a variety of ways...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I don't have any new updates since the election. Let me see if perhaps there's been some discussions with the officials level. I'll ask the deputy minister to speak to that, please.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, for the detail, perhaps I'll turn it to the deputy minister first and see if we have that detail available. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm not sure if the Minister of Health wants to address this in further detail, but I certainly can give a bit of an overview.

There's been increased infection prevention and control measures in long-term settings. And what that means, Madam Chair, is support for some additional positions in the form of licensed practical nurse and a residential care aide. Also increases in the availability and the replacement where needed for medical equipment in longterm care settings. And also work being done on a national scale to ensure there's some standardization of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our approach in terms of dealing with contractors is quite similar to the federal model and they too are applying their own policies more expansively and to include contractors. The goal, again, is to ensure that all of the public that's being served on behalf of the GNWT has the benefits of this policy and the benefits that we believe it brings as far as providing all the different tools to prevent transmission and exposure to COVID19.

I suppose it's an honor system in the sense that we are requiring at this point contractors who have existing contracts to...

Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. right now the project is as far as Lockhart Lake. Again, I was about to start getting my binder out from the capital estimates. I didn't, I probably should have, but I'll just see if Minister Archie could confirm if my recollection is correct on that, please.