Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to say it's been a bit of a grind these last couple of weeks I think is a bit of an understatement. Certainly, I know we've -- for those of us who it's our first time going through the budget process, certainly a learning experience and, yeah, and a long experience. Again, a big thanks to the staff that beared with us through this process.

I was going to say something cheeky about the Minister of Finance, but she works way too hard for me to do that. And I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit scared of her as well so -- after the past three weeks.

Mr. Speaker...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to use my Member's statement time today for gratitude, Mr. Speaker. First and foremost, to our staff and their families. We've put some serious hours in here these past few weeks, and I know it's -- you know, the time that requires staff to be in here, it's a stress on their families. I know we all appreciate it but often it goes unsaid.

I'd also like to thank our tireless interpreters who, again, you know, we put some serious hours in. They always have a smile. And I know that, again, thank them and their families for the work they do.

And I would...

Yes. Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for that. And, again, obviously as I know, the Minister knows, this does vary throughout the region certainly. As you get further North, the costs certainly go up and have continued to go up.

You mentioned that obviously a significant portion of the $93 million is major projects or projects in progress. Can the Minister tell me what portion of that $93 million is work that is currently in progress and over a twoyear or threeyear time span? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee defer further consideration of the main estimates for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, Inuvik hosted the first annual Inuvik Petroleum Show. It was inspired by the impending announcement that the Mackenzie Valley pipeline was on the horizon, and Inuvik's economic future looked bright. The town was bumping, Mr. Speaker. You could barely find a parking spot downtown. The hotels were busy, the restaurants were crowded, and people were working in the exploration industry. Tour operators were busy, and artisans were selling their products. Mr. Speaker, residents were excited at the prospect of burning clean locally sourced natural gas to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress. Thank you.

Okay. So the majority of the $60 million is projects that weren't done last year. For various and sundry reasons that we discussed earlier about capacity and contractors and so on and so forth? Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. No further questions.

Okay, thank you. So the entire $60 million has projects attached to it, buildings attached to it, for 20242025, and then the remainder of the $93 million is carryover from ongoing projects that started last year previous year, is that correct?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you, Madam President, for that information, and Minister Kuptana. I'm very happy to hear that the elders' unit is still in discussion and that we're still and the fact that you're looking at working with other departments to make that land available, very important, particularly in the smaller communities and the coast, I know that, in the Minister's riding. So very encouraging to hear that. I would encourage you to sing that from the rooftops, Minister. I think it's a good news story that we need to get out there to let them know that NWT Housing is not now an...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you for that answer. Just to clarify, $60 million of the $93 million is for projects that have yet to be started and hasn't been committed.

(audio) if we go back to the summary (audio) back to the summary, and I'll ask it then. Thank you, Mr. Chair.