Caroline Wawzonek

Mr. Speaker, absolutely we will have to prioritize that work again. Just by way of some example of what we did last year, we were widening the road that gave the ability for trucks to be going but also didn't impede smaller traffic with folks who may be doing their own personal resupply, had more signage, increased patrols, increased checkpoints, which was not only a safety issue; it helps increase the flow of traffic and make the flow of traffic better. And we've also had some increased maintenance, increased improvements. Again, everything we can do to keep the road in a state that people...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This project has seen an increase to its original budget, and it's likely to see some further increase. Mr. Chair, I don't get to do opening comments in terms of the topical areas we hit but I will say with respect to the IT infrastructure, over the last few years there's been numerous occasions where we've seen an early stage budget that winds up being significantly off, and that is something that the department, with the chief information officer, is trying to get a better handle on. Understanding the nature and the needs of the project more at the front end allows us...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would expect -- I expect that the project officers in the department, officials there, are already doing that. They've certainly been expected to do that for some time. We know that there's going to be more traffic on those winter roads this season just as there was last season when there was less barges. With no barges, fully expecting that road to be busy. So those meetings are already underway. Mr. Speaker, it was -- certainly, it was helpful for me to meet with some of those involved last year just to get a real picture of it, to have that opportunity...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So climate change considerations are part of the substantiation sheets. And -- yes, I mean, in this case with respect to the $1.9 million allotted, or roughly thereabouts allotted to maintain our basic infrastructure, it's -- this was not a consideration or a factor that, you know, went strongly really one way or the other. There was not a lot considered in this particular element. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said they certainly have been a little slower to get moving than what I might have hoped. That said, I've certainly spoken to my department about them to get updates, and I'm assured that one of the biggest things that's happening is these have been an opportunity and a vehicle by which our officials are actually able to engage with the appropriate counterparts in a context of identifying priorities in this space, identifying areas where a federal investment can unlock some of our priorities rather than being only a one size all -- fits all approach...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, happy to do so. Mr. Chair, obviously this summer there was a situation in Yellowknife where a number of folks who are underhoused were living in tents and the numbers surrounding homelessness and underhoused individuals in Yellowknife seemed to take a rather significant increase as a result of which one of the positives that came from that experience was that the Departments of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Health and Social Services, were able to work with the non-government sector that provides a number of services, work with this community to determine what some of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, I do. Mr. Chair, for clarity, would you like me to do opening remarks on both at the same time or one at a time?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It was executed back in 2023 so that would put us, I think, in the third year of its operation. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the high cost of energy remains one of the greatest challenges for residents and businesses across the Northwest Territories. The realities of our northern environment only amplify these burdens. However, the GNWT is committed to alleviating these pressures through immediate relief and sustainable long-term solutions, paving the way for a more stable and affordable future for all Northerners. As we approach winter many communities, especially in our northernmost regions, face significant financial difficulties in heating their homes and paying their electricity bills. Most...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, certainly happy to provide more detail. Just in brief, there is some work that's being done in terms of the drainage, culverts, surface improvements. There's dips that are -- that become present and become in some cases very severe on this particular stretch of highway and all throughout, and so trying to smooth those out which sometimes seems like an endless task. But that's the overview of it. Thank you.