Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we continue on into our fire season, I'd like to ask the Minister of MACA some questions about our emergency management legislation, specifically the regulations. In other jurisdictions, command control and coordination systems are present in regulations. They require local authorities to establish EMOs that all use the same system so there's a consistent approach across the board, and typically, it's the instant command system. Can the Minister tell me what regulations are in place under the Act to ensure consistent approaches to emergency planning and...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member from Nunakput, that Committee Report 720(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review of the 20222023 Public Accounts, be received and adopted by the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a constituent of mine, who also happens to be my lovely wife, the love of my life, Colleen. She's here today, and whilst I have been here working on behalf of all of our neighbours she's been holding down the fort at home, and I couldn't do it without her. Thank you so much for being here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we're on the same page, but I do hope that the Minister will look to mandating best practices for EMOs in the Northwest Territories. Can he ensure the House that he will do that and provide support for those best practices through training and planning support? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what work is already underway to review the regulations, or absence of regulations I suppose, as we currently have them? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that pursuant to Rule 9.1(5)(a), the Government of the Northwest Territories table a comprehensive response to this report, including all recommendations, within 120 days, or at the earliest opportunity subsequent to the passage of 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Public Accounts is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 20222023 Public Accounts.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Nunakput, that Committee Report 720(1), Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report on the Review of the 20222023 Public Accounts, be deemed read and presented in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the start of summer means the countdown beginning for the worldrenowned Folk on the Rocks music festival hosted every year in my beautiful Range Lake riding. Since 1980, this proud tradition has showcased the very best of the North's musical talent and has brought nationally and internationally renowned musicians to the NWT, delighting festival goers and giving these talented performers some northern exposure.

It's now in its 44th year. The festival features talented local northern groups, such as Amy and the Easy Hundo, Branded Sonic, Refrigerator, Narwhal, Grace Clarke, Tanya...

Yes, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister's correct. I believe we are the only one. So we have, again, a lease that's underperforming in terms of value for money. I appreciate that the territorial government has many different priorities, but an unsafe building that's not fit for purpose -- or sorry, perhaps unsafe is too extreme a word. But a building that known security concerns that is not fit for purpose, I don't think is in our interest to continue on this track. That's my position. Obviously, there are so many needs in the territory, but to continue to ignore this is just...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that's good news. And I know the Minister knows that mining matters, and it's great to see it move beyond just the mines and actually to other areas of public policy.

Mr. Speaker, the mining incentive program was a big part of the success of the strategy, continues to be successful. Can the Minister tell us if the increase in investment is due to that fund? thank you.