Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for the brief answer. Mr. Speaker, how is the authority the health authority communicating to our local workforce that these aren't temporary measures, these are not replacing them, and we value their work, and we want to pay them what they for the hard work they do for our communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well I heard a no, but I appreciate the Minister's position. So can she explain why we're so reliant on agency on public or private agencies in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, of all the institutions that are important to Canadians and that unite us, few are as cherished as universal public health care. No matter who we are, we all proudly pay into the same system and trust it will be there for us when we need it the most. It's a public service we've enjoyed longer than many of us can remember yet it remains incumbent upon every generation to ensure health care remains in public hands where it belongs. That is why my constituents are very concerned with the GNWT's increasing reliance on private agencies in the NWT health care system. This is undermining...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm glad the Minister doesn't want to use them. So how much is it costing us? How much is it costing us a day and how much and over time, has it changed since COVID? That's my question. Are we paying more now than before the pandemic? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. So another area that Northerners often talk about is taxing people who work in the Northwest Territories but don't live here. We have a payroll tax system and a tax benefit that accomplishes that. Are we maximizing those benefits to the Northwest Territories' public purse through that system? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, that's $131 million is a pretty big chunk of that $150 million. So we've solved our financial challenges if we just collect on our debts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, expectations for the 20th Assembly are high. After long years of successive and unprecedented crises, Northerners are ready to turn the page on the past and step boldly into the future. Yes, expectations are high, Mr. Speaker, and crucial to these aspirations is the question any government must ask itself: How the heck are we going to pay for them?

Mr. Speaker, last week, my honourable friend mentioned this, just moments ago, the romantically titled Restoring Balance of Fiscal Sustainability Strategy for the 20th Legislative Assembly was released publicly...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I'm pleased to support the interim estimates. I see them as noncontroversial and essential to keeping the lights on for the public service until we get into the actual budgeting process in May and June. They'll be other matters, financial matters, that the House will discuss that I'll have more to say. But at this time I'm content to support these and will reserve comments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for those commitments. The GNWT has often whispered about a sales tax in the past. Is the sales tax going to be on the table for this government? Thank you.