Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, they are tracking over the course of several years and, in fact, I think I've looked at the data for approximately ten years as to the percentage. And the percentage does vary, but the approximate amount that we are spending year over year doesn't change that much aside perhaps from a couple of years of COVID where things were a little bit tighter than unusual and more difficult to go out and spend. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it does require a regulatory change and so that is being worked on at present. And we are expecting that those regulations should be implemented by August the 1st. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, at this point, having made it into the supplementary appropriation, this is really just a very initial amount. And at this point, my understanding is that the assessors of course still have to do their work in order to ascertain exactly what the damages will be and then the full damage compensation process can begin under the Disaster Assistance Policy.

You know, and again for whatever it's worth in this place, Madam Chair, I know the Minister has asked all of us to emphasize the importance of folks registering, both businesses and residential individuals...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly anyone that is involved in hiring does have opportunity to access training through the Department of Finance. There are information packages online that can describe some of this, and the Department of Finance is often, if not always, involved during a recruitment and retention process so that they can also provide some strategic advice on how to do the evaluation equivalencies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So Madam Chair, these funds, and I take note, and I appreciate the comment here, that these are programs that really one of the reasons I think that they were chosen or targeted is that they are funds that people can apply to so that they are funds that then are the dollars go out to the communities or to individuals who can apply to the funds. So rather than relying on what is, frankly, often already stretched to capacity to deliver further capital planning programs from within GNWT departments, and particularly and including Housing, here individuals who would like...

Yes, please, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, only to note some of this funding does specifically support a victim services coordinator position, which can help hopefully answer some of that concern of ensuring that there are services being provided to those communities that don't necessarily have staffing.

I can note that there is an extension now of victim services programming into Fort McPherson and Fort Providence that previously did not have staff. So incrementally there is at least some increase in the availability of staff to communities outside of regional centres. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the core programs amount there that you see for $4 million is going to be ongoing. It wouldn't necessarily be reflected here. This is a supplementary appropriation to the 20222023 Main Estimates but it should be showing up when we do the review for the 20232024 Main Estimates and through the business planning cycle. Thank you, Madam Chair.

For.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So for 20222023, anticipated total spend is $291,000. The total amount under the Active Forestry Carbon Sequestration Fund, ultimately, Madam Chair, is projected to be $1.333 million.

As for where they will go, they will be planted in the Northwest Territories, Madam Chair. I don't have that information. But I'll endeavour to get it for us. Thank you.