Robert Hawkins

Again?

Thank you. Taking off on one of the questions my good colleague from Boot Lake had said, maybe I could clarify, how much oil and gas is being developed in the North Slave region at this particular time?

Mr. Speaker, again, speaking on the theme of being not confident to do change, Mr. Speaker, I believe in the department, Mr. Speaker. I know they have the skills, Mr. Speaker. And I hope the Minister wasn't suggesting she's going to hire more ADMs, DMs, and who knows what else.

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister have the confidence that I'm giving her -- would she take the leadership I'm encouraging her to take to hire someone from an auditor general point of view to do value for money audit on the work we do there in the department because of the inefficiencies of how the programs are currently...

Not intending to hold you to the exact number unless of course you have it, so how many people would that represent? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. With the budget in the range of $650 million with hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of employees on the books both funded, unfunded, etcetera, Mr. Speaker, what does the department have in terms of jobs specifically that are targeted to analyze spending of the department in the context of an efficiency expert? Thank you.

And how many people support that office in terms of employment or PYs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd say thanks for the answer, but I'm not really sure -- I appreciate the answer, but it doesn't really focus on what the issue is, is what needs to change in order to reestablish the position there. All of that work could be done there. So is there something holding back from being able to do that work in Inuvik? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm not trying to create a fight on this one. Maybe I'm hearing a tone or not. I'm not. I'm just saying that is there a way to pause this investment knowing that -- I don't have the exact dates, Mr. Chairman, but I'm going to say knowing in three months that, you know, people will no longer be there. If it needs the money, then pause it, and reinvest the money. I mean, it's just that's the point I'm making. I didn't say delete it. I just seen -- this is what people see as frustrating about money. I mean, if I did say that, that's not what I was trying to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I get to the details of my final comments, I want to thank the Member for Boot Lake. He's relentless on this issue. And those of you reading or listening at home or those historians 20 years from now that pay -- combing through Hansard, they heard it here, this Member's been relentless on municipal issues, so certainly by all means. He just every day brings up help Inuvik; we need more stuff. But in all honesty, Mr. Speaker, he is a good Member, and I do appreciate the work and support he's given this initiative. That said, I support all Regular Members on their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS municipalities and community governments across the Northwest Territories are inadequately resourced to operate their communities and have been advocating to increase funding levels from the Government of the Northwest Territories for several years;

AND WHEREAS the $5 million increase in community government funding realized in the 19th Assembly does not recognize the increased inflationary costs to communities;

AND WHEREAS communities across the Northwest Territories have been facing emergencies since 2020 through COVID-19, flooding, and wildfires. The Northwest...