Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I've spoken to many of the participants in that town hall. Many of those staff have mentioned their concerns that they do a lot of work mentoring other staff, helping them with their concerns, and they feel like there's not a transparent, non-biased staff person whose job is to go back and specifically take their feedback and issues with an open mind. Last budget, we asked the Minister to explore the implementation of an office of practitioner experience or some sort of dedicated ombud-like role that staff can bring their concerns to that can get worked on. That...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to reassure the Minister that it's not just Yellowknife Members who are advocating for our health care workers; it's everyone on this side of the House up and down the Valley. So, Mr. Speaker, it's important as well that health care is not understaffed. The Minister just spoke to this. The staff that we do have are being forced to work long hours, sometimes 12-hour shifts without breaks. How is the Minister going to ensure frontline staff, such as emergency room doctors and nurses, are not overworked and not tired, burnt out, and unable to provide high...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my constituency assistant, Mr. Taylor Pagotto, who is in the gallery with us today. I couldn't let -- I share him with the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, and he mentioned him in his opening statement so I couldn't be remiss not to recognize him for the amazing work he does for the Range Lake riding to help all the constituents out there. Thank you so much, Taylor. You work very hard every day, and we're very lucky to have you. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) is the primary authority responsible for all ground search and rescue (GSAR) in the territory except for national parks and national historical sites which are the responsibility of Parks Canada.

As the primary authority, the GNWT is responsible for overseeing all aspects of GSAR including service delivery, training and preparedness, and prevention activities. The need for responsive ground search and rescue services is especially key in a territory as vast as ours. Therefore, The Government of the Northwest Territories'...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we -- when the Standing Committee of Economic Development and Environment met with the youth council, one of the comments that was raised was that young people feel like the implementation of the carbon -- of carbon pricing in the Northwest Territories has left some people behind and that there needs to be more done to transition them into a clean energy future with these additional costs, especially in small communities. How does the Minister plan to respond to those concerns that the tax is creating an undue burden in small communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the Members of the youth -- NWT youth climate change council inquired about the carbon tax annual report and I -- or brought this to my attention. I'd like to ask the Minister of Finance, in the carbon tax annual report there is a $14 million surplus for 2023-2024. In the past previous years, the surplus has been -- surplus or deficits have been within $1.6 million. Can the Minister explain the discrepancy in this year's report? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS access to health care and addressing the effects of trauma is a priority for the 20th Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the financial outlook of the Northwest Territories is dire despite the efforts of the Government of the Northwest Territories through its fiscal strategy;

AND WHEREAS sustained shortages of staff have reduced access to health care services in NWT communities and placed increased operational demands on full-time staff leading to burnout;

AND WHEREAS the Auditor general of Canada indicated an emphasis of matter in the 2022-2023 Public Accounts...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these ever-increasing rate increases are putting so much pressure on Northerners, many of them are leaving their communities. Does the Minister believe that the subsidies that are being rolled out to cushion -- cushion these rate increases are sufficient? And how does she know that? Thank you -- what went into the calculation? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today, the Minister talked about -- Minister responsible for the Power Corporation -- sorry, I had to remember who it was -- talked about the general rate increase of 24 percent, and she mentioned that part of this is because we're not connected to the grid. And due to our limited economic growth, we're squeezing the ratepayers of the Northwest Territories because there's no one else to charge, and because we're isolated, we're on our own. So I'd like to ask the Minister, what is the plan to solve this structural problem? If we never connect to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister know what the mandatory cost for -- or the mandatory certification for firefighters, how much it costs, and who covers that cost? Thank you.