Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to present its Report on the Review of the 2017 Report of the Auditor General on Climate Change in the Northwest Territories.

The Auditor General's report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on October 18, 2017. The Standing Committee on Government Operations held its public review of this performance audit report on January 17, 2018.

Committee members thank the Auditor General and officials from his office for preparing the report, for travelling to Yellowknife when the report was tabled and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Minister's commitment. Mr. Speaker, the other areas that are required for a successful university or post-secondary institution are independence and, of course, an institution driven by research. Aurora College has ARI, the Aurora Research Institute, but what it doesn't have is an independent board. When will the Minister reappoint an independent board so the college can be at arm's length from government and control its own affairs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm not advocating that the public funding for the Aurora College be cut; far from it. There are other universities in Canada that receive public funding, but are independent academic institutions. So can the Minister reassure me and others that, for the nearly $30 million we invest in Aurora College's operations, we are delivering the highest-quality programs that can stand up in other jurisdictions, without proper accreditation? Can the Minister confirm that what the students are learning at Aurora College can be used elsewhere in Canada?

Merci, Monsieur le President. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment recently released a discussion paper on Governance of Post-Secondary Education in the Northwest Territories, a discussion paper that I've been eagerly awaiting for some time given my commitment to accountable and relevant post-secondary education in the Northwest Territories.

The mandate of our Government states that the GNWT will begin to "expand opportunities for post-secondary education, trades-oriented learning, and northern education institutions." This discussion paper contains some important statements. The...

Maybe something further. Are these positions solely contingent on this funding? Is this something we are looking to maintain after three years? Thank you.

Thank you. Can the Minister just quickly explain the difference between the two, the 10-year framework and the three-year funding plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to speak to, it's not a question, it's just a comment. I support these supplementary estimates or the requested appropriation, in particular, the $1.5 million for the purchase of four portables at St. Joseph School. That school is in my riding. It's the largest elementary school in the Northwest Territories. I have risen in this House before to speak about the space needs of the school. This is something that this school district was looking to bring forward, so I'm very pleased that the government is providing assistance to the School District of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for responding on an area that there is not much meat on the bones, so to speak. There is a public concern over the use of this technology. I think we are reminded of some public engagement that went on earlier in this term. Clearly, if this is the way of the future, and the Minister is confident that the industry is moving in this area, and the economy is moving in this area, is he willing to commit to put a discussion paper together or some talking points that could be shared with the public so we can get Northerners in on the conversation and...

Thank you to the Minister for clearing that up. I am glad that this government is on the case. I think nuclear is one of those areas of energy that gets a bad rep because of some very high-profile global disasters, but that shouldn't persuade us away from looking at the potential. Canada has had nuclear reactors operators in southern provinces for many years, such as in Ontario, who has a famously successful nuclear program that hasn't had any major problems.

I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware of any territorial jurisdiction that could allow us to pursue our own nuclear program...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that assurance. As the Minister knows, the Prime Minister of Canada committed to allow the NWT to keep all the revenues raised from the carbon tax. I have heard the Minister say that there is going to be a program that will mitigate any new taxes that will impact our already too high cost of living, but that other important piece of public policy is leading the way forward to a green economy with renewable energies and less carbon-intensive industry. Is the Minister proposing a carbon plan that will do that as well? Because the only thing I heard in his...