Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is, indeed, a capital project that I am happy to say, after quite a bit of effort on both sides, Mr. Chair, we do now have contracts in place both for the operations and maintenance as well as to undertake the much waited-for and anticipated capital upgrades. That was -- both of those came in the fall of 2024 which means that by this construction season, we will see the upgrades beginning. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, investing in our roads, bridges, airports, and highways is critical to keep communities connected, improve safety, and support economic growth. Whether it is making sure families can travel safely, helping businesses move goods, or supporting emergency response, strong transportation infrastructure is essential for all Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, crews have already been working across the territory over the last year to improve road conditions and safety. And I have a few examples to highlight:

Highway No. 1, the Mackenzie Valley Highway, received about 39 kilometers of chip seal...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, I mean, yes, so this particular line item that was pointed to is specific to Northwest Territories Power Corporation to help integrate the programs and projects that may exist in communities. But, Mr. Chair, a lot of work does happen in the energy strategic initiatives division with respect to some of the planning. So, for example, the micro hydro that was mentioned earlier, the possibility of SMRs. You know, efforts in that space happen within this division, so the staff that are employed there through this proposed budget are the same staff that would be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are annual reporting requirements from both myself with respect to the energy side but also from my colleague at ECC with respect to our climate change framework. Mr. Speaker, I don't have them at the tip of my fingers here today, but we do certainly see as an obligation to report on the progress we're making in those two areas, and that is tabled here in the House annually. Thank you.

At this point. And, Mr. Chair, no, I don't have that yet but, again, really creating -- this is something where there's already these existing pieces of framework of the National Building Code that exists that we already apply in the GNWT, so bringing that in and making it one that can be put into legislation that can be applied more broadly really should be manageable at this point. We're hopeful within the capacity that we have to put it in place. And then, as far as putting our inspectors out, Mr. Chair, again, inspectors already are out inspecting buildings but they're doing so without the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it's not a lack of understanding or, frankly, even disagreement. As I said, I was surprised -- surprise probably doesn't quite describe it. But certainly was surprised to learn that the federal government was cutting these programs that support communities that are most in need of being -- having alternatives to rely on fossil fuels that are least well able to find alternatives and because we are not connected to the grid, we are, you know, nonroad communities, so I'm more than happy to give all my reasons why I thought this was a not very intuitive choice. But...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is. We do, of course, have commitments to advance the energy strategy and to update that, and the energy strategy will -- is really the all-encompassing approach that we utilize to determine how a government as a whole is going to be approaching energy issues, energy efficiency included. The Department of Infrastructure is certainly the lead on that, but we're not alone. Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT also has commitments in their business plan, I understand, with respect to incorporating energy efficiency technologies. And Department of Infrastructure...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, at this point in time I'm going to have that take that one away and just commit to getting back to the Member. But it may not be me. It might actually be as this -- as the governance changeover takes place, our hope is that as that unfolds, part of that will look at what makes the operations more efficient and, really, that might be an opportunity to do some downsizing or to change assets. But, Mr. Chair, part of the governance review is to question whether or how to have the right people there making those decisions. And I -- you know, I'm not trying to be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's always a bit of hesitancy to be seen to be giving or suggesting how people should go about their taxes, but I take that point and I certainly commit to go back to the department and make sure that we are sharing what we can about where to access more information, what to do if people are uncertain about where to go with questions around CRA and to use their calculating -- calculators. So, again, I'll go back and make sure that our comms folks are active in this space and we're doing what we can to help educate residents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is, indeed, and I certainly can get those numbers for the Member. I don't have all different stretches of highway. But I would certainly be able to provide that to this House.

And, Mr. Speaker, I just want to make one more note. There are -- there is a movement in some phone abilities now for people's cell phones to actually connect directly to satellite. I want to say that here because, again, this is an issue that affects residents, and I appreciate the opportunity to bring attention to the fact that people should look at their own new -- the newer...