Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am on page 13. There is a list of projects under tourism and parks. I am particularly interested in the K1 Kitchen Shelter Replacement. The line item is $304,000, which seems to be quite high, considering the replacement of the manager's residence in Kakisa is only $200,000. I have been to at least one of the kitchen shelters in the park, and I am just wondering if we can get some justification on the value for money for this project. I mean, it seems very, very high. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to move to item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills, on the orders of the day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Not to say that, if there is a security deficiency or something like that that needs to get done, it should not get done. All I am saying is that, if we are going to commit to a new planning study, we should be considering a new building before we throw money, more money, into the rented building. That just quite frankly is not good value for money when you look at it over time, and studies have been done on this. So I am content with that, and I am content that the Minister is not spending any more money than he has to on this project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Underwater resources, there is funding for the Taiga Lab Equipment Project. The notes here say the funding wasn't expended in 2017-2018, and the offsetting amount lapsed in 2017-2018, as well. Can we get clarification on the delays related to this project? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address perhaps the greatest social issue affecting the Northwest Territories: the crisis of addiction, substance abuse, and chronic mental health problems.

I first want to acknowledge the work of the Standing Committee on Social Development and the efforts undertaken by the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services to review our current addictions treatment options and in working together to make progress on this continuing problem. However, the honourable Members of this House are not alone in their diligent efforts to make a difference in this government...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that from the Minister, and I certainly appreciate that a great deal of effort goes into these reviews because it is a significant expenditure of taxpayer money.

Just on this, I don't have an issue with the work being done. I recognize that it's important, but, again, I have raised the concern on continuing to modify a rented facility, which is the courthouse. Can the Minister just confirm that we are still moving along with a planning study for a new courthouse building or a stand-alone courthouse building?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Not to get into detail at this point, but there are a number of road projects or the Stanton Territorial Hospital that are reflected in some of these carry-overs. Are those projects experiencing any delays because of the carry-overs? I mean the ones where the work has already been undertaken. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is that internal to the facility? I know that there was some work that was being undertaken to improve various internal infrastructure. I am just wondering if that is the same extent of the work that we have seen in previous budget documents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand in support of the principle of this bill. It has been a long time coming. Members have advocated for these necessary changes that are long overdue. They have been advocated by the Cities, Towns and Villages Act for some years now, and I am very pleased to see the government bring this forward.

It is essential that we give our cities, towns, and villages the tools that they need to effectively maintain their operations and to take advantage of economic opportunities like tourism. In my community of Yellowknife, the need for a hotel levy has been long canvassed...

Obviously, this appropriation speaks to the security deficit work that is being corrected. North Slave Correctional Centre Zone 1 Security Infrastructure. Can the Minister provide some details on that? Thank you.