Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I do.
I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2017-2018. This document provides for an increase of $23.2 million to the operations budget.
These Supplementary Estimates include funding for the following items that will be fully offset by revenues in 2017-2018:
● $14.1 million for planning, implementation and operations of NWT marine operations;
● $2.4 million for reconstruction of an airfield ramp at the Yellowknife airport for use by the Department of National Defence; and
● $1 million for the Slave Province Geophysical, Surficial Materials, and Permafrost Study.
These supplementary estimates also include an additional $4.8 million in funding for priorities identified through the deliberation of the main estimates of 2017-18 as follows:
● $2.5 million for homecare;
● $500,000 for Youth in Crisis;
● $500,000 for the anti-poverty initiative;
● $225,000 towards freight costs associated with the fishing industry;
● $600,000 for the Mineral Incentive Program;
● $500,000 for the Community Access Road Program; and
● These supplementary estimates also include $669,000 to reinstate reductions to the teacher education and social work programs at Aurora College.
That Concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.