Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that, and that's encouraging that we continue to meet with the SDL proponents in the Beaufort Delta.

The Premier mentioned the Indigenous governments, mentioned the Inuvialuit specifically, of course, because that is in the Inuvialuit settlement region. Can he maybe elaborate a little on what engagement has been, again, ongoing and have been going on with the Indigenous governments in the region as well as it pertains to the LNG development, particularly given that they are now the LNG developer in the Beaufort Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that, for that information.

Just kind of flipping gears for a second, Mr. Speaker, I also spoke about the Mackenzie Delta LNG report that was tabled in this House. I believe it was 2022 but I could be incorrect; it could have been 2021. I guess, Mr. Speaker, my question is have we taken this report off the shelf and given it some dust off, and how are we continuing to promote this amazing opportunity in the Beaufort Delta? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my Member's statement and my comments around the energy strategy, my questions are for the Minister of Finance. Can the Minister give me an -- and I understand this will be more than one initiative and there's a lot of -- probably likely a lot of categories, but a ballpark kind of what our spending is on renewable energy -- our renewable energy initiatives, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I began the week with my reply to the Budget Address speaking about energy and economic development, and I'll continue today on energy security, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, non-renewables are still important to the Beaufort Delta, have been for quite some time and will be for quite some time. Given the potential shift in the federal government and their thinking around LNG development and, regardless of who forms the next government, Mr. Speaker, we heard in the Liberal leadership race, again, speaking about the importance of LNG production as we move forward...

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

Thank you. And I appreciate that, Mr. Speaker. And I'm sure if I'd have given the Minister a little more time, he certainly would have got those numbers for me. But maybe he can speak in general, then, around the amount -- you know, that budget, the amount of that work that's done by consultants and/or contractors and particularly how much of that money is spent outside the territory, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank the Premier for that. And, again, as I mentioned earlier, what a great opportunity perhaps to look at a working group for this development and for ongoing developments.

But can the Premier speak, given what's happening federally, again, there may be some winds of change coming, we're not sure, and I think it doesn't preclude either of the potential new governments, has the Premier been engaging with industry at large, with -- I mean, obviously, preparing, I guess, to make sure that, hey, there's an opportunity could come here in the next, you know, 6 to 12...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that. That is, indeed, excellent news.

I guess I would ask if the Minister can commit to giving us a kind of a costed plan on how the department intends to reach the 300 spaces by 2026 that was intended when the agreement was signed with the federal government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my Member's statement, I did mention in there that I know the Minister's aware that childcare providers are required to complete the essentials course in order to be a childcare provider either in a day home or in a centre.

Mr. Speaker, oftentimes, you know, providers may have English as a second language or may require some assistance. Does the department provide assistance, or what assistance does the department provide to the individuals who are taking these courses? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister spoke about the infrastructure funding. Can she maybe elaborate on that, what that funding is specifically used for, if it's strictly for infrastructure projects, any of that to be used for anything like wage subsidies then as well. Thank you.