Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think there's been a long uncertainty about which would take priority, whether it's the roads that bring the resupply or whether it would be access to greener and more sustainable energy solutions, which is really an area that is particularly for critical minerals but for the mineral the large diamond mines that make public commitments as well as to how they're going to move forward, whether, again, which of those two they take first. I'm sure they'd probably be happy to take both. You know, with respect to roads, Mr. Speaker, I know two at least two of...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, there would be no fibre to the home in any of the communities along the Mackenzie Valley fibre line but for the existence of the Mackenzie Valley fibre line. And then Tuktoyaktuk will be in the same position, that once the fibre does reach the community, the what again, I can't speak for CRTC, nor for Northwestel, but my understanding of the expectation between those two parties is that this is a service that NorthwesTel is responsible for, that they've committed to 50/10 for all communities and, indeed, have, I think, delivered a majority of the...

Madam Chair, there's nothing in this capital plan for additional portables. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd, right now, be probably most concerned about the exploration projects but as I said, at this point folks are back on their sites. They are back up and running and hopefully going to make the most of the time that we still have this fall season. So we are I know that the department is actively looking to get back in touch and to be fully briefed directly from the proponents as to where they're at. But at this point, I don't have any information of delays. There was some concerns about some of the resupplies for the CN rail lines but, again, that also...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think the Member's asking if there's a point of presence, and that is that's what there will be. There will be a point of presence into the community. Fibre into the home is provided by a certain internet service provider which would be, for example NorthwesTel, but there are other internet service providers and particularly in the Beaufort Delta area. But once they have the point of presence, they can then take that fibre into a home. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this project I certainly share some frustration with respect to the progress on this project. There seemingly has been a number of challenges over the last couple of years. And that's certainly led to a negative outlook by the community, which quite frankly saddens me more to think that the children there or the students there would think that they are not the priority of anyone in elected office. I can say at this point, while we have been assured that there be certain completions here for September, including not the least of which be a gym space, the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that really does go to the real heart and the purpose of having the process that we're in, of having that process laid out as it is, to ensure that it does bring us to a place that we have agreements that are fair, that do, you know, reflect and respect the role of the public service and the Government of the Northwest Territories and that ensures that we have a sustainable contract to provide to our public servants over the longterm and in a way that is reasonable. So all of those ideals and all of those values remain unchanged. Again, I believe we are we...

Thank you, Madam Chair. It's an extension of the Mackenzie Valley fibre line. So it will be a GNWT asset. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Well, that is not part of the current capital plan that's in front of committee. At this point, these are meant to ensure that we are, of course, protecting what are critical cultural assets. But, Madam Chair, at this point, it would be whether where it would fall in a future capital plan. There certainly is the five and 20year plans that do exist. They are ranked based on, you know, considerations you know, the preservation of life and safety of individuals and people first, for example, and then a ranking list thereafter. So I also am certainly sympathetic and live...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the parties did begin the negotiations in March of 2023. Again, this summer season has brought quite a number of unexpected challenges and emergencies to everyone's feet. But, again, I do want to assure that the GNWT and the union do continue to have discussions. They've been in contact even throughout the evacuations. I know the department has appreciated the opportunity to be engaged, not necessarily about negotiations, but even just as a resource to be able to maintain the contact and the line of communications. All that said, though, I don't expect an...