Kieron Testart

Thank you for your indulgence, Mr. Chair, and also for the Minister indulging this line of questioning, which is very much a policy area. It is important to remember that, although he is in the chair right now, he is not always in the chair. It's the officials' level that does a lot of this work, and that's why instruments like MOUs are valuable, because it's not always Cabinet that makes these decisions. I have no further questions on this activity. Thank you.

Is the department considering any memoranda of understanding with other GNWT departments in order to create the authority it needs to form a leadership role over climate change activities in this government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the chair of Committee of the Whole leave the chair to report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for that clarification from the witness. Since the Minister announced the Almod deal, has there been any actual work at these facilities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 1, Western Canada Lottery Act.

Mr. Speaker, this bill establishes the Northwest Territories Lottery Commission. It also establishes the Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Fund, a special purpose fund that will receive proceeds from the operation of lotteries by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation. The commission is responsible for the conduct, management and operation of lotteries. The Minister will administer the fund and distribute proceeds for...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to the Minister for that update. I am a great supporter of this important subsidy program to our mining industry. I wanted to also turn to secondary diamonds. My honourable friend from Yellowknife North was just scratching the surface of some of these issues. The Minister announced the establishment of a new secondary diamond operation with much fanfare. We haven't had many updates since then. What action is the department taking to help move this process along and eliminate this immigration roadblock? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Ontario pilot project is just one of many that is taking place in the world. We've had them happen in Canada before. I'll ask the Minister. He mentioned the productive choices. How is that similar to a basic income pilot? How is that achieving the same results?

Nothing further. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Looking at page 221, I would like to ask some questions about the Mining Incentive Program. This program was increased in last year's budget to a million dollars, more than double. I am just wondering if the Minister can speak to whether all of this money got out the door last fiscal or this fiscal year. Did all the money invested into this fund get used? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I talked about the early results of the Ontario Basic Income Pilot project. Some of the comments from people in the program: "It's given me back my independence," "I don't feel backed into a corner," "If I want to eat, I can afford to buy something instead of going to a food bank or soup kitchen." These are the kind of progressive policies that are moving the working poor forward in the province of Ontario. Will the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment speak to any analysis that his department has done on a guaranteed basic income...