Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 19th Legislative Assembly committed to ensuring that government procurement maximizes benefits for the NWT residents and businesses. In order to fulfill this commitment, in December of 2020 the GNWT hired an independent panel to provide recommendations to strengthen GNWT procurement policies. This independent panel conducted public consultation, engaged with stakeholders, and reviewed years of contract data.

Mr. Speaker, on August 2023 the GNWT responded to this panel review report with a report on the review of GNWT procurement policies and practices...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then I'll just do one final one. Will the GNWT evaluate the outcomes of the current negotiated contracts policy to ensure that it achieves the intention to support the development of the Indigenous business policy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm a little nervous; I want to make sure I get this right.

Mr. Speaker, as a followup to my Member's statement on Indigenous procurement, I'd like to ask the Premier if he can make the approach to the Indigenous procurement policy publicly available? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister mentioned the wage grid, and I understand that the wage grid has been provided and the wage grid has been broken into zones for the territory. The concern for the Children's First Society in Inuvik is that they are in zone B while the surrounding communities are in zone C, and I wonder if the Minister can provide a little update as to why that is. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, has the department determined how that money will be allocated to each region and each Children's First Centre?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My apologies. I'm just about done.

Now, finally, Mr. Speaker, if child care centres are no longer able to operate and we face even more limited spaces or closures, make no mistake it will affect us all. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in April of 2023, the NWT Early Childhood Association held an event called waiting. They invited families from across the NWT who are waiting for spaces to participate. They heard from a variety of families that were either leaving the territory, going on income support, or not able to go back to work due to lack of spaces. This did not take into consideration the families that are choosing not to move to the Northwest Territories and the negative economic impact on the NWT that comes with our inability to attract professionals such as doctors, nurses...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Great Slave, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:

The Member for Frame Lake, Julian Morse;

The Member for Great Slave, Kate Reid;

The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Denny Rodgers;

The Member for Monfwi, Jane Weyallon Armstrong;

The Member for Tu NedheWiilideh, Richard Edjericon; and,

The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Robert Hawkins.

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed as alternate Members:

The Member for Range Lake, Kieron Testart; and,

The Member for Sahtu...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker,

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Great Slave, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment:

The Member for Frame Lake, Julian Morse;

The Member for Great Slave, Kate Reid;

The Member for Mackenzie Delta, George Nerysoo;

The Member for Sahtu, Daniel McNeely;

The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Robert Hawkins; and,

The Member for Yellowknife North, Shauna Morgan.

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed as alternate Members:

The Member for Deh Cho, Sheryl Yakeleya;

The Member for...