Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member is correct. We did have a meeting with the last administration and, most currently, with the new administration and the new mayor and her staff. I would say the next steps: we did give some direction for the interdepartmental group committee to work with the staff over with the Town of Hay River and get us some information before we can make any decisions. Really, there isn't a timeline that I can commit to, but I will inform the Member that we have had those discussions, and it is something that we have discussed. One of the discussions is also looking at a phased-in approach in terms of what is needed in Hay River.

On the other side of things, with the housing issue, I know that we are working with the community to address looking at the community housing needs and plans should certain things happen. Really, we need to make sure that other things are confirmed with all the economy and industry but also, like I mentioned, just continue those discussions on what is needed right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks for the answer. I would like a timeline. I would like to see this happen within the life of this Assembly. The town doesn't have the money to develop the area that they want to, but they do have money to knock down probably the most beautiful green space in Hay River and build a few lots there. I think that is the plan if this doesn't go through. It is going to affect the quality to life of residents there. We have this beautiful trail system, kilometres of trail through the forest, right on the river, that is going to get bulldozed to make room for this much-needed housing.

Can I get a commitment from the Minister? I guess I am not even sure what I am looking for a commitment for because this has been going on so long, and I don't want to rush them through it because I want to make sure this is done right, but I need this done, we need this done, sooner than later. I am just working this through, here. This would have to be done through supplementary appropriations, I guess. How about this: can I get a commitment that we will get this funding done in the life of this Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I mentioned, we do have the interdepartmental committee that is working with the staff and the mayor of Hay River. We have to wait until we see what comes out of those discussions. I can't commit to a timeline. This is an interdepartmental commitment, so I will have to also chat with my Cabinet colleagues moving forward. What I can let the Member know: we have had those discussions. We will continue to have those discussions. Moving forward, we will see what our next steps are, and we will keep the Member informed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Moses. Next, we have Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. During business plans, the Minister advised the committee that the department would be undertaking review of the North Slave regional office and look at service delivery requirements and needs of the community governments. Has the department started this work? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we are looking at getting that work done. We did have some of our senior management at headquarters. We are very busy. I made sure that we are addressing those issues with the Member and the concerns that he brought forward. We will get that information to the Member as soon as we can. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister give us a timeline when he feels that will be done? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we are debating the budget here, we will definitely get it done in 2019-2020. The sooner that we can get it done, the better. That way, we can continue to provide services to the South Slave region. As committed to other Members, we will make sure the Member is kept up to date on how we are moving forward on this. Thank you.

Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think I may have provided the wrong information to the Minister there. I was talking about the North Slave regional office. You kind of answered my second question. I will go ask the North Slave question, then. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister.

Same answer for the South Slave. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

That is the answer. In regards to the South Slave region and that, I did have a meeting with the Minister and a commitment to get information on certain positions. When will that information be brought forward to myself? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know I have had meetings with the Member on certain concerns that he has brought forward. We did get our staff to start working on addressing those positions. As soon as we do have a plan, we will share that with the Member so that he can share it with his constituents and the communities that that office represents. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Those are all my questions for this section. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Testart.