We have a capital budget -- and the Ministers laugh at this request. This is a request that has been brought forward by the NWTAC. This is a request that has been brought forward by community leaders time and time again, and, to be met with laughter now? Mr. Speaker, we have an upcoming capital budget that includes funding for municipalities. Is there a way that this Minister will advocate for our communities, in consideration of that budget?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As per my Member's statement, the state of community funding in the Northwest Territories has a major problem, and we have known about this problem for a long time. I would like to know what the Minister responsible of Municipal and Community Affairs has done to properly address the deficits and shortfalls in the municipal funding formula. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To be frank, the federal government can't build a pipeline to save its life, so I find it highly doubtful that they will be able to bring forward significant infrastructure to address the concerns that SDLs were created to address.

What can this government do directly, through working with industry, because I will address the liability that the Minister has clearly laid out, to avoid any potential liability of changing the existing SDLs? What can this government do to incentivize or encourage work in the areas that are covered by these SDL licences? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.

Bill 37 proposes that the regulator be authorized to hold public hearings, however, leaves it to the discretion of the regulator to determine when a public hearing would be in the public interest. Committee members discussed regulatory practices in the Northwest Territories, where public hearings are obligatory. In resource development, thresholds are set, for example, for various types of water use and waste disposal, which determine when public hearings must be advertised and conducted.

Committee is of the view that the regulator should establish...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. What assurances can the Minister give to people who are concerned about the old SDLs, the SDLs that weren't really working as well as intended? That was the feedback that we received. What assurances can the Minister give that those existing SDLs will be either brought into the regime that we will be bringing forward with the new legislation or, at least, will become competitive and not just sit there for an indeterminate amount of time, which could be until the end of time? What assurances can the Minister give that there will be work done and that these SDLs will...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. What tools are available to the government to change the terms of existing SDLs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was under the assumption that that would be a relatively small amount, but I will look forward to that information. My second question is: how much land is currently covered by the existing SDLs? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think to the economic future of the territory, I always think of what is going to pull our economy forward out of the negative growth that is anticipated for our foreseeable future. The advocacy I have brought to this Chamber has typically revolved around the minerals industry, which I believe is the quickest way to get our economy back on track.

I have had the opportunity to travel to the Sahtu, where oil and gas is not just another economic opportunity, but it very much is the industry that has created a lot of prosperity for the region. Seeing the operations that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally, one of my largest concerns is how these disturbances can disrupt the productivity and livelihood of business owners in particular, many of whom rely on that service to sell their goods. Shutting it down can have economic consequences, as well. Can the Minister update the House as to what efforts the service provider has been pursuing to improve redundancy to Yellowknife, in particular?

I thank the Minister. I think this House is well aware of the excellent work that has been done on the northern part of the territory, the fibre optic line and the future potential it has, but the southern part of the territory still has these issues; in particular, our capital of Yellowknife. Can the Minister bring the public up to date on what is known about the incidents on May the 8th, July the 13th, and August the 12th of this year where the fibre line was cut?