Julian Morse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to follow up with the Minister of Infrastructure. Last week, she issued a statement about the Connecting Families initiative, shared the exciting news that 1,870 households in the NWT are now eligible to receive internet services for $20 a month. Could the Minister just elaborate on this point. Which households will be eligible, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just pondering the answer a bit. Yeah, I hear what the Minister is saying. I know that it is difficult to obtain funding. And certainly, I did note that most of the core funding for Arctic Energy Alliance is still there, and I know it's tough when the federal government takes things away and that we can't always continue every single program the federal government gives us money for. But, again, would just note, you know, if we have to use territorial money for something particularly related to climate change, what I want to see that money going towards is programs like...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Well, maybe the Minister or her staff could give us an update on kind of on progress that they've been making in advocating the federal government for kind of continuation of these funds or perhaps obtaining new funds. I notice that, you know, when we look at the revenue items on page 262, there's a number of different projects for which we got new funding this year or increased funding. I won't list them off, but I do see a number there. So I'm just wondering if we -- why we haven't made progress on getting funding for programs like this. Certainly, the low-income...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, how do residents find out if they're eligible? How are they going to find out how to apply for this program or if they're eligible for it and how they go about receiving this benefit? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I was finished. If the Minister wants to respond, I mean, I was really just overemphasizing the point, but just wanted to, again, note my support for taking territorial money and using it to help territorial residents convert off of these expensive fossil fuels. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And, you know, I just want to emphasize to the Minister that, you know, some of these programs -- even some more than others, particularly the low-income program, but there is a number of programs put forward under the low carbon economy leadership fund that were about more than just reducing greenhouse gases which, of course, is an important goal. But also these are some of the key programs that have been used in the territory to help people reduce their cost of living, which is -- it's something that politicians constantly talk about, and it's one of the areas that we...

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. And I do apologize. The way I structured the question probably wasn't the clearest, and I appreciate the answer from the deputy minister on that. I am happy to hear that work is progressing on implementation of that report and continue to encourage the department to keep working on that because, yeah, support for NGOs is important, and just want to emphasize the fact that we did the engagement, we have the answers. It's about implementation now. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I just wanted to speak to the non-government organization stabilization fund, and mostly what I'm curious about is I had been asking the Minister in a previous sitting of the Assembly about the plan to stabilize funding for NGOs and stabilize support for them. I'm just looking for an update. I note that this budget item hasn't changed in a while, and if anything, it's reduced. So can the Minister give us an update on this because he has committed in the House to strengthening this sector and to focusing the work to strengthen and help this sector as a result of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I mean, understanding that negotiations are confidential and the Minister probably won't be able to share too much detail, I mean, if there's anything the department can share with Members or even share publicly about progress that's being made, I would certainly appreciate hearing it; I think a lot of people would. I know this is a high priority item for me and other Members. Yeah, if the Minister wants to elaborate a bit, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's hard to believe, but this is already the last day in February. The sun is coming back on the northern horizon, GNWT procurement officers are gearing up for the final spring to the fiscal year, and the coolest venue in Canada is about to cut its doors open.

As the Member for Yellowknife North already announced, Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Snowking's Winter Festival. 30 years, Mr. Speaker. That is quite the feat. That's 30 years of true grassroots community building.

This festival exists because of the hard work and dedication...