Thanks, Madam Chair. On page 155, there's a line item that says social justice fund. That sounds pretty cool. Can the Minister tell us what that money's used for? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Committee, we will defer departmental summary and review the estimates by activity summary beginning with directorate, starting on page 154 with information items on page 155 and 156. Are there any questions under the directorate? Member for Frame Lake.

Thank you. Welcome. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, on my left is deputy minister Bill MacKay. And on my right is deputy secretary to the financial management board Terence Courtoreille.

Thank you. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses in.

Minister, please introduce your witnesses.

Yes, please.

Thank you, Minister. Do you wish to bring witnesses into the House?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2023-2024 Main Estimates for the Department of Finance. These estimates support the mandate objectives for the Department of Finance, while continuing to meet the Government of the Northwest Territories' fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending.

Overall, the department's main estimates propose an increase of $16.29 million, which is 5.1 percent over the 2022-2023 Main Estimates.

Highlights of the proposed main estimates include:

• A $927,000 reduction to contract budgets in order to better align funding with actual expenditure levels the department has experienced in prior years;
• $4.42 million in forced growth, mainly driven by a $2 million increase to interest expenses to accommodate the yearly interest on the long-term bond issued by the GNWT. This is in addition to a $2.3 million increase to medical travel funding associated with an increase in public service as well as growing travel costs;
• $1.104 million to fund a health recruitment unit initiative as the GNWT works to alleviate staffing pressures in the health care system through increased focus on health professional recruitment and retention; and
• $10.27 million in other adjustments, which include an $8.28 million increase to the carbon tax offsets provided by the government, coinciding with the increase in the carbon tax rate along with the new proposed methodology under which rebates will apply.
• Additionally, there will be a $3.99 million increase to the contribution amounts provided to Housing NWT to support their efforts in addressing housing needs across the territory.

These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly and vision of Budget 2023, by:

• Supporting strategic investments to expand the economy and reduce the cost of living in communities across the Northwest Territories through the development and improvement of reliable broadband services;
• Continuing to deliver and improve procurement services and contracting opportunities; and,
• Ensuring that GNWT departments have the support they require to manage both human and financial resources appropriately.

That concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair.

I now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 813-19(2), Main Estimates 2023-2024. We will now consider the Department of Finance. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

Thank you, committee. We'll take a five-minute break and get started with Finance. Five minutes.

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Thank you. Does committee agree?

Merci, Madam la Presidente. Committee wishes to deal with Tabled Document 813-19(2), 2023-2024 Main Estimates, with Department of Finance. Mahsi, Madam Chair