Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister for Municipal and Community Affairs in light of the earlier conversation -- or the earlier questions I asked the Premier. The Minister tabled a document, Tabled Document 103-18(2) which was in response to the question on funding 911, which stated: "In light of the Government of the Northwest Territories' current fiscal environment, 911 is not included in MACA's 2017-2018 business plan," and yet the Premier announces that through the business planning process we're making progress on that. Can the Minister confirm if 911 is...

Mr. Speaker, perhaps my memory is a bit foggy, but if it was included in the business plan it certainly was an oversight when we developed the mandate but it is an issue that is important to Northerners so I'm pleased to see that we have some willingness here; however, previously in this Assembly we were told that it was not in the cards. So can the Premier explain that? Is this a knee-jerk reaction to some questions that were raised in this House or is this a long-standing initiative that we've just simply never been told about?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, honourable Members raised the issue of 911 previously in this session and were told that the department is not in a fiscal position to provide this, more research would be done, and the Minister has committed to working with standing committee on developing some options. However, the honourable Member for Frame Lake just asked the Premier some questions and we heard that they are now working on legislation for 911. Can the Premier please clarify whether or not 911 is coming to the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford for this government to take a short-sighted outlook on how to manage our economy that puts the next generation of Northerners into a future shrouded by uncertainty. It is clear to me the most significant challenge that this government faces is the lack of skilled northern workers and an aging population on the cusp of retirement. Building a true knowledge economy will undoubtedly require a significant investment by this government, but we need to invest today for the jobs of tomorrow. We need real concrete action...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, the work of the standing committee is important in this process, however, it seems earlier comments pre-empted that work. So again, if the standing committee says go on this initiative, will the Minister commit to do it? Thank you.

Can the Minister then explain why we're hearing two different versions of the story on 911? I appreciate that the Premier might not know as much as the Minister, so I'm hoping we get to the bottom of it with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I can tell the honourable Premier now that won't be required. Can the Premier tell this House when Northerners will be able to dial 911 on their phones? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm always willing to work with honourable Members on any side of the House. Are we currently developing legislation? Not just working on it, not just exploring options, but developing legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd like to recognize two pages from my riding in Kam Lake; Josh Saturos and Storm Robbiard. We really appreciate all the work they've been doing, along with the other pages here, who help make our lives a lot easier. I'd also like to recognize all the mayors and members of the NWT Association of Communities who are here working in partnership with us, and also the staff of A New Day program, Laura Boileau, William Greenland, and also Ernest Abel, Executive Director of the Tree of Peace. Keep up the good work and thank you all for joining us today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many times in this House I have spoken about the importance of building a knowledge economy. Though we can never abandon our world-class mining and energy industries, we need to ensure that our territory is strong enough to withstand the volatility of commodity prices and downturns in resource markets, and an innovative knowledge economy will provide us with the kind of long-term sustainability for growth, attract new residents and create opportunities for investment that our southern neighbours take for granted.

While often my focus to this point has been...