Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that answer and the clarity on that. If Sambaa K'e takes it, will Wrigley be the next one being looked at? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

That is correct.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we talked about friendship centre funding, could the Premier explain a little bit more about exactly what is happening with this pot of money? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We had committed to providing $80,000 a year for two years, with a commitment that we would match up to a further $175,000 if they raised the money. It hasn't been brought to my attention, but I do not believe that they have come back and asked for additional matching money yet at this point. I am hopeful that they will be able to come and ask for more money very shortly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I hope they do, too. I think it is a very important organization, the friendship centre. I know that the Premier thinks the same thing. After two years, are we looking to review it and see if there is an opportunity to continue this arrangement, or is it done after these two years? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we normally do, we would review how successful or not successful that pilot project was. If we feel that it would be successful and if the friendship centres are still all committed to it, I would hope that we could go forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Next, I have Mr. Blake, I believe.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under the government Single Window Service Centres, I know that we discussed it in the past, but it is a great program in the communities. In my riding, in communities like Tsiigehtchic with no services in the community, this is a real benefit.

One thing that we were asking about is making these positions full-time. Right now, they are part-time, and they have a big workload, especially at times in the fall and even this time of year, mainly because it seems like every year elders have to fill out these same forms, whether it is home heating subsidies or help with their taxes. Mr. Chair, there is a big demand for help, especially from the elderly.

Will the Premier and the department look at making these full-time positions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess we could look at it from a couple of angles. One is that, if the workload supports the fact that we need full-time positions, then we are prepared to look at it. Secondly, a lot of the service workers are only working half-time because that is their preference. A lot of them would prefer to stay at half-time, because, in some cases, if we change it, then we will probably have to find other people who are willing to work full-time. Certainly, though, we are prepared to look at it if the workload warrants it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Blake.

Well, that sounds promising. I am sure that the larger communities, like, for example, Fort McPherson or Aklavik, would be willing do that. There are a lot more people in the community and a bigger demand with elders and people that need these services. I know that it is a great benefit to the communities, and I look forward to that full-time position in the near future. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Anything else on the department or on the activity directorate? Seeing none, I will call the page. Executive and Indigenous Affairs, directorate, operations expenditures summary, $5,725,000. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Please turn to the fourth activity, Executive Council offices. This activity begins on page 120. Comments or questions from committee? Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. There is an increase of $200,000 in Ministers' offices. If you go back to 2017-2018, it is almost $400,000. Can someone help me understand these increases? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Over the past three years, there has been a significant increase in ministerial travel, primarily because of the fact that the current federal government operates a lot more out of Ottawa than the previous government. Our Ministers have to travel a lot more to Ottawa to meet with their counterparts and to advance our Federal Engagement Strategy and to promote the priorities of the Government of the Northwest Territories. As well, we have committed to increase public engagement, be it Cabinet meetings in regional centres and so on. That is the reason for the increase. Thank you, Mr. Chair.