Denny Rodgers

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...

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...

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.

Thank you for that. Can you provide a dollar value on that $93 million? I think that's what I asked, how much the $93 million that equates to in cash. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I was going to save my comments when we went back to the overall, but I want to follow up on my colleague's questions from Yellowknife North.

And it's kind of alarming that we do have a $93 million surplus. And I know the Member from Yellowknife North asked if there was a capacity issue getting this work completed. And I know, you know, living in Inuvik, I know there is often it's difficult in getting contractors to do work. I know a lot of the work that has to be done is work that's beyond the scope that our typical housing maintainers would do. But the fact...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Committee of the Whole wishes to consider Tabled Document 9320(1), 20242025 Main Estimates, the Departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Housing Northwest Territories, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee defer consideration of the main estimates for Housing Northwest Territories at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Sorry if I seemed confused, I just want to make sure I have the proper information. And of the $60 million that is earmarked for projects that is yet to be tendered, those projects were all projects that were scheduled for 20242025, or are those projects that carried over from previous years and/or projects that will move into next fiscal year?