Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you for that. And, you know -- and, you know, to be fair, I think it was -- the consultation process that was done in Inuvik, certainly that I attended, was very informative and I think, you know, for contractors and builders alike, I think it was welcomed to have some teeth come in that program.

Is the department tracking in any way now, I guess the performance, you know, versus what it was pre- having this new policy; is there data being kept on that now, Mr. Chair?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Back in I guess late 2023, the department did a review of its business incentive policy. I know because when they did do some consultation and information sessions in the regions, and particularly in Inuvik, it was during my campaign actually the time I attended one. And one of the updates they were looking at doing for the BIP was to around -- we'll call them enforcement, but putting teeth into the policy to ensure that contractors that were filling out the BIP forms were then obviously following up on those BIP forms and ensuring that what was stated in the forms was...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to second this motion. You know, based on the -- all the information and the reasons that my colleague, the Member from Range Lake, so eloquently put, and I won't reiterate all those, just to say, Mr. Speaker, that this is about compassion. It's about doing the right thing. And it's why we're here, Mr. Speaker. So I trust this motion and this important policy work will begin as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And that sounds like something for a Member's statement next week, but I certainly appreciate the answers. No further questions in this section. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And, yeah, the issue has been -- and, listen, I've been involved with BIP through other parts of my career and, again, we see a lot of times where, you know, a contractor or someone will fill out those forms, put in the northern content, and then not necessarily follow up on the northern content and the problem was, you know, if you wait until you're halfway through a $20 million contract to realize that, you know, we haven't, you know -- those intentions weren't followed, then it's likely too late. So one of the -- you know, it'll cost you way more to have to go out and...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So the funding is flowthrough or no from (audio)

Thank you. Again, I was just curious and given what's happening -- and I understand that -- you know, the Office of the Oil and Gas Regulator supports the regulator on offshore, and given certainly the activity that's happening right now in the Beaufort Delta with the Inuvialuit and their new gas plant that they're firing up in the next year or so, as well as interest again, likely nationally, on LNG and what's happening, is there any -- given any thought to potentially having an office located outside of the headquarters, preferably, obviously, in the Beaufort Delta where most of the oil and...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 275-20(1), 2025-2026 Main Estimates, Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs and Department of Justice, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm glad the Minister's aware of that. I'm glad they're working on something, Mr. Speaker. But what is the -- is there a contingency plan -- and at risk of asking two questions -- and how is the Minister informing residents so they can make informed decisions? Thank you.