Denny Rodgers

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 200-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025 be now concluded and that the Tabled Document 200-20(1) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So if I understand that, the RFP will be going out in 2025, and can then the Minister provide an update on when she expects this facility to be completed and operational? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, back around that same time I know there was an operational plan provided as well as a schematic design that was provided by both partnership between both Indigenous governments in the community. Is that something that the department is still considering looking at or are they going for a fresh set of eyes on this? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the town of Inuvik had their annual -- had their annual -- had their municipal election. We don't do it every year, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to offer my congratulations to the new mayor and council. Certainly mayor-elect Peter Clarkson is no stranger to our community, to our region, and likely to many Members of this House. Peter has long been an advocate for the town of Inuvik. He is a former councillor, a former mayor, and former regional superintendent for the Department of the Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Mr. Speaker.

I'd also like to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 201-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2024-2025, be now concluded and that the Tabled Document 201-20(1) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025. And Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2024-2025. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, yes, I thank the Minister for that clarification, and I had understood that was kind of a priority of the 19th Assembly. I'm glad to hear it's still at least 20 beds, not the 48 that we had originally wanted, but certainly I'm glad to hear that it's progressing.

Is there still an appetite, then, Mr. Speaker, for this government to consider working with the Indigenous governments on either through procurement, either having them design and build this facility and lease it back to the government or at least -- I guess least of all build this facility through the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm proud to recognize my constituency assistant Sheila Nasogaluak who is joining us here in Yellowknife for the week. And I know we all say it, but she is the best.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks again, that is good to hear that the contracts will be let. So I guess, finally, Mr. Speaker, going forward, has the Minister tasked the department with coming up with kind of a long-term plan to ensure that years like this year is not something that we'd expect going forward next year and in future years, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.