Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I spoke of a constituent of mine who undertook a tremendous amount of grassroots advocacy for local options for addictions treatment in the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if he can speak to the aftercare programs that the government is currently operating and in the process of reviewing. He has spoken about it on the floor in the House before, if he can give this House an update. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the "Taltson expansion, pre-construction," the amount is $200,000. Could the Minister just speak to what that entails? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The GNWT proposed that cannabis be sold only in existing liquor stores for at least two years, with all business conducted through the Northwest Territories Liquor Commission and all expenses and revenues flowing through the Liquor Revolving Fund. The GNWT's initial consultation revealed that "preferences for the retail sales system were mixed, with little over half of survey respondents supporting the liquor commission model and others wanting opportunities for private stores or dispensaries."

However, this is not consistent with public views expressed during our tour...

That is good to hear. I think it would be unfortunate if we had kind of a one-and-done approach to this issue, and fairness to employees of the public service is always first and foremost on my mind. Nothing further. Thank you.

Thank you, and I appreciate the Minister sharing some of my concerns, but at this point, the Minister believes that this appropriation is appropriate for this project? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members. Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Standing Committee on Social Development have reviewed Bill 6, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act, and wish to report that Bill 6 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The line here is $59,000 for a 1 per cent compensation increase for nonunionized employees, effective April 1, 2018. This is consistent throughout this document. I think on every page there is the same adjustment, the nonunionized employee adjustment. With your indulgence, I will just ask a general question around it before we approve this appropriation.

Obviously, nonunionized employees are separate from the collective bargaining process, which, for all intents, is stalled. Does the Minister have any concerns that moving ahead with this 1 per cent compensation increase...

Nothing further. Thank you.

Thank you to the Minister. I would very much appreciate that. I do not recall any specific spending in the last budget towards cannabis public education. This is obviously an issue that is very important as we roll out this process. Can the Minister just confirm whether or not it was additional money voted in the budget or whether it is internal resources from the department proper?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that update. Finally, as it relates to supporting tourism in the capital or, indeed, throughout the Northwest Territories, the Minister said that the resources are very limited and the demand is outpacing them. Given the needs in Yellowknife and given the needs across the territory, is the Minister willing to bring forward additional financial resources or adjust the budget so we can properly seize on the opportunities presented by tourism? As I said in my statement, Mr. Speaker, they are limitless, but we certainly need to invest in them...