Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s often said that our cost of living is out of control. It’s always the top priority for Northerners when discussing governments and public policy and action that we can take to improve their lives. Mr. Speaker, the high cost of power is a key driver in making the NWT a very expensive place to live and run a business. Taking control of the cost of power is perhaps the most important way our government can lower the cost of living and reduce government spending, which I’m sure the Finance Minister is pleased to hear. Mr. Speaker, the recent move to remove...

Sorry, Mr. Chair. Nothing from me.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank the department for that. It's encouraging to see that we're taking this seriously. We have a partner in Ottawa who's very keen on innovation and scientific growth, and we have a federal agency here, in the form of CanNor, that's keen to invest in those opportunities. Also, there's university partners across the country that could be making more use, and I know there are some legislative barriers to bringing more university dollars here, to the North. Will part of this work on a science strategy address legislative barriers and work on eliminating them so we can...

Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Where would I find those funds? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have some questions about this government's climate change efforts. First, is there a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy? I know there's the greenhouse gas and emissions, but do we have a strategy that includes looking at the future costs of climate change, and does it plan for those costs? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister willing to commit, at this point, to providing additional health resources or funding, as required, to support this program moving forward?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe in Housing First, and I believe for Housing First to work, our government needs to play a very important part in the provision of central, clinical, medical services to support the clients. My question today is for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Concerns have been raised that the department may not be providing these services to clients and support the model. Can the Minister confirm of the status of the provision of these services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this budget offers quite a few things Members of this House can get behind. One aspect in particular is investing $16.6 million in new federal funding for affordable housing projects with the intent of providing residents of the NWT with an increased number of households that are not only contemporary in all relevant safety standards, but more importantly, and all too rarely seen in the North, affordable. This is by all means a noble measure of this government to tackle the cost of living and will benefit a number of families in Yellowknife and in all our communities, but, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the only… Well, I'm eager to see the strategy roll out and I hope that committee will be, and I'm sure that committee will be consulted. I hope also we do some public engagement of this and get it out to the scientific community and not just here, in the Northwest Territories, but in people doing northern research across Canada and potentially in international organizations, as well. I would encourage the department to actually look at those partners and not just keep it inhouse and keep it in this building, as well, because those are the people we want to bring...