Caroline Wawzonek

Madam Chair, I don't need a crystal ball on this one. I can tell you the answer and that the federal government doesn't typically provide funding for schools. But what I would like is it would be more of a magic wand where they would, in fact, provide the funding for schools for the reasons that the Member has set out as well as any other reason that that would, you know if we can invest with children starting from early education, junior kindergarten through two, you know, there would I think a lot of the other problems that we see across the territory or elsewhere in Canada might well be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm always a bit hesitant to say too much in the House, and it's not for want of wanting to reassure the public service of the importance of this and certainly of their value. Right now more than ever, many public servants were asked to do much more over the last few months under very difficult circumstances. They really are what makes a lot of what anything the government does possible. So certainly wanting to give that reassurance. There is at this point, the stage we're at, Mr. Speaker, is that the parties are going to have a mediator appointed to the...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, Madam Chair, we are the contemplation is that this would follow the transportation utility of the Tuk Highway. So, but, which took, you know, some time to finish that, and now to be ready for it, I gather we are now at a point where they are doing the environmental assessments and we'll be prepared to submit that to then have the project move forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I do believe this does take into account the offsite materials which are noted to not be currently and as already noted not in an environmentally controlled state. So this is, again, to, I believe, take all of that into account and support that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the collective agreement between the union and the Government of the Northwest Territories did expire in March, March 31st of 2023. I don't have a set timeline. We go through the bargaining process which is not necessarily a strict timeline in and of itself. But it is a priority, certainly for the Government of the Northwest Territories, I'm confident for the union one as well. Obviously, the wildfires and evacuations have made some challenges to everyone's schedules, but it does remain a priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, with me, I have the deputy minister of finance, Bill MacKay. And I have Kristal Melanson, director for the management board secretariat.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, no, the current capital estimates are still the current capital estimates. So there's no change to what's before the House now with respect to or as a result of this wildfire season. You know, again, as I'd indicated, if there was to be changes coming, that would be in a future capital plan. But the yeah, I mean, the materials and the information that's before you here, there is already or quite a bit of investment into the area. So nothing contemplated to change in these capital plans. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I am here to present the Government of the Northwest Territories 20242025 Capital Estimates, the last capital budget of the 19th Legislative Assembly. This budget builds on our commitment to tabling a capital budget that is achievable while still addressing the priorities and needs of Northwest Territories residents.

These capital estimates propose:

$361 million in expenditures to support and continue infrastructure investment in our communities. Major highlights of this capital budget include:

$94.2 million for highways, winter roads, bridges and culverts. Key...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I wouldn't be in a position to speak to what might be coming down the pipes here. I turn it to Dr. Kelly, please.