Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This one-tenth of 1 per cent cost of living increase would be .08 per cent, the department indicated it worked with Statistics Canada to derive that statistic. Can we get some more details on the calculation done on that or a commitment to see detailed -- granted that this is perhaps not the venue for that, but can we get some detailed calculations?

That wasn't shared with committee during our study, and it's a little troubling to find out on the floor that they have quantified the exact cost when cost of living has been such a concern of committee and of the public who...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The total cost of this, the Minister made a comment that the honourable Member for Nahendeh was incorrect in his assessment; I just want to get back to that number. My understanding is that, should someone travel to Edmonton on a return flight, for example, from let's say Fort Simpson, the cost of that would be a $29 fee once they arrive in Edmonton and once they return to Fort Simpson there will be a $19 fee. So there are fees on both ends of the trip, is that not correct? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like to recognize Ms. Deneen Everett and Ms. Renee Comeau from the Yellowknife Chamber. I think we've been talking a lot about women and leadership in the Northwest Territories on the occasion of International Women's Day. This is the perfect example of strong women leadership in our business community whose advocacy is tireless and a huge benefit to the residents of the Northwest Territories and to Yellowknife. Thank you.

We've talked about universal child care for the Northwest Territories. There was a study done on this. Does the Minister support universal child care as a potential project or policy for this government to take on and will she access the feasibility of that in the life of this government?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a recent report by Statistics Canada has shown that the gender gap between a man's earnings and a woman's earnings has shrunk by $0.10 since 1981. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Status of Women what response this government has to shrinking that gap even further here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think our capital region is, of course -- there's a significant population, like half the territory, that lives here and that wants to avail themselves of recreational opportunities, but also we have the TerraX mining operation at the Yellowknife Gold Project that is seeking clarity around these issues. There are also our partners in Indigenous nations that are seeking clarity of these issues. Apart from the recreational land use framework, is anything being done by the department to clarify land use for Yellowknife and its surrounding areas?

I remain unconvinced. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, previously in the House I raised a question to the Minister responsible for Lands on the issue of land use planning; specifically, the mandate commitment to finalize land use plans. Today, I want to turn that line of questions towards the Yellowknife area, and specifically what is being done to finalize a land use plan for Yellowknife and the surrounding areas? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and it's nothing that's before the House for consideration, it's merely how the Bureau of Statistics calculates household costs. I appreciate the comments from Mr. Neudorf.

Now, the witness has indicated that this was a breakdown of Yellowknife and I think that's prudent on one level, considering it is a cost increase to the Yellowknife Airport, but as honourable Members from smaller communities have mentioned this impacts them as well. So did the department do an analysis of the average transportation costs of someone living in Norman Wells, someone living in Inuvik, all...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I should note the household statistics seem to be lumped under one line "Transportation," is that correct or is there separate data being collected on air transportation? Did the department just multiply that transportation line and base its analysis on that or did it base its analysis on specific air costs? Thank you