Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I also have questions about the fur pricing program. I'm wondering if the department can share with us the subscription rate, or how many people are using this program, and if it's another one of our programs that's over-subscribed.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the Minister for that. It is hopeful that the department is acknowledging that there are challenges here and that the government is moving to address them. I note as well that this section has been moved to labour and development standards rather than education. Can the department confirm that they are taking more of a vocational training approach to post-secondary education in the North with this change? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Can the Minister provide the totals there and is there something we need to wait for more detail? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just to confirm, that detail can't be provided today then? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just noted the Minister said, “all the institutions we fund.” Is the $33 million here on the description line says, “base funding for Aurora College, includes funding for Aurora Research Institute.” Does this funding include other post-secondary institutions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To clarify, I don't think this is an and/or solution we need to look at. Shelters serve a very important role. Housing First is a separate model. Both are equally important, and it's about being compassionate. Everything costs money, of course, but we need to think about the compassion and supporting Northerners and empowering them to make positive choices. That's what we are talking about today with Housing First. It's a proven model that works, gets people back on their feet, and solves a real problem in our community, in our capital city. That is what I am fighting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's important that if this government is to invest in a real solution for homelessness, that we have a full understanding of all the options available to us. Housing First remains a viable option, and there's a big difference between building new shelter spaces and empowering people with their own homes. I'm wondering if the Minister today will commit to reconsider her plan and commit to matching the current funding for Housing First so we can address more of the critically chronic homeless who are in need and using 51 per cent of our emergency services.

I don't believe the department would receive negative comments from MLAs on this program, either. It does seem to be quite sustainable and quite important to creating those jobs and economic opportunity in smaller communities, so I appreciate that it's working well and that it has a sustainable model. I believe those are all my questions, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, recently the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and the Mining Association of Canada commissioned a survey conducted by Abacus Data. It clearly shows that the citizens of the North overwhelmingly support the mining and exploration industry. More to it, Northerners not only believe the industry's economic contributions are substantial, but that our safety and environmental standards go beyond regular expectations. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, our residents believe that the development of new mines is a positive contribution to our economy and that this government must further...

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the department for that answer. The price subsidies, are they based solely on market rates or is there a component where the trappers are canvassed on are they getting enough, and is it sustainable? Is there like a take-home survey kind of thing where the department is actually talking to the trappers and finding out how they feel it's working for them? Thank you, Mr. Chair.