Thank you, colleagues. I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to the family of the late Chief Johnny Kaye of Fort McPherson. Johnny served his people well during his tenure; his leadership skills were noticed throughout the Mackenzie Delta and into the Yukon, where his family originated.

Aside from his serious side of being chief and other management roles, Johnny also had a way of making you feel comfortable, and there was never a conversation without laughter involved. Johnny led many hunting trips; he taught many young boys the traditional way of living. His culture was important to him, and he held on to his language and spoke it as much as he could. The Gwich'in Nation has lost yet another powerful leader. May we all take what he has taught us and continue to support one another. Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Strategic Oil and Gas Limited, or "Strategic," filed for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in April 2019. Strategic operates the Cameron Hills, Northwest Territories project, which includes winter access roads; well sites; oil and gas gathering systems; a small pipeline; an oil and gas battery; a permanent camp; and various incidental activities such as borrow pits, permanent bridges, and sump sites.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has been monitoring and intervening in the ongoing court process to help ensure Northwest Territories interests are represented. A receiver has been

appointed by the court to oversee the Northwest Territories' assets of Strategic. The receiver, Alvarez and Marsal, is to take temporary custody of Strategic's assets in the Northwest Territories, address regulatory obligations, and attempt to sell the Northwest Territories assets, if possible. The proceeds of any sales will be used to cover regulatory obligations and pay company creditors.

In the Northwest Territories, the immediate regulatory obligations are to repair and suspend a leaking well and suspend two other wells by April 1, 2020. There is currently enough money through existing securities to do this work and bring the site into compliance. Until the receivership process has been completed, it is impossible to say what the final costs to remediate the site might be or who would be responsible for covering them.

Strategic's project was approved in 2010, before devolution. At the time it was transferred to the GNWT, Strategic's site was in operation and its permits were in order. The Government of the Northwest Territories had a reasonable expectation that it would continue its operations until it was wound down according to regulatory requirements.

While it is too early to predict the outcome of the ongoing receivership process, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to protecting the Northwest Territories' land and environment and ensuring appropriate remediation is carried out on Strategic's sites in the Northwest Territories.

Our government's work to strengthen and improve the Northwest Territories regulatory framework continues, including ongoing work on how we calculate the amount of security we recommend to regulatory boards. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to managing development responsibly and protecting the Northwest Territories' land and environment through careful regulation of future projects and taking appropriate responsibility for the consequences of past projects when necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, no one in the Northwest Territories, especially our children and youth, should ever have to endure bullying. Our schools and communities must be safe spaces for all students, and the responsibility to ensure this happens is one we all share. I am pleased to announce today, on Pink Shirt Day, the formal release of the Guidelines for Ensuring LGBTQ2S+ Equity, Safety and Inclusion in Northwest Territories Schools.

In 2007, Nova Scotia teenagers David Shepherd and Travis Price organized a protest after a male grade 9 student in their school was harassed for wearing a pink shirt. The next morning, these two youth brought pink shirts to hand out to all of the male students. Their school was full of kids in pink that day. Thirteen years later, Pink Shirt Day has become a global call to action as schools and workplaces around the world are flooded with pink in solidarity against bullying. The national theme for 2020 is Lift Each Other Up, and I am happy to see so much pink around the House today, as we stand together on Pink Shirt Day.

Across the Northwest Territories, we have worked with our education and community partners to combat bullying. As I am sure all Members of this House are aware, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, and Two-Spirit youth experience greater discrimination compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. They have higher instances of mental health issues, substance abuse, lack of school attendance, violence, and suicide.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is aware of the unique challenges that LGBTQ2S+ students face in school, at home, and in their community. Research shows that having strong anti-bullying policies and guidelines results in lower levels of bullying victimization, greater school safety, and less social aggression. As well, students in schools that run Genders and Sexualities Alliances, or GSAs, are at a lower threat for risky behaviours, like alcohol and substance use. They also report increased psychological well-being and function.

Mr. Speaker, the department is committed to supporting diversity among school staff, students, and families. As a part of Education Renewal and Innovation, the Guidelines for Ensuring LGBTQ2S+ Equity, Safety and Inclusion align with the Safe Schools Regulations, the Territorial Schools Code of Conduct, the Northwest Territories Human Rights Act, and the Government of the Northwest Territories Harassment Free and Respectful Workplace Policy.

There are 13 promising practices that can be integrated into any school. These practices are evidence-based, tangible calls to action, through collaboration with the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife, FOXY, and SMASH, and with feedback from our education partners.

Some of the most valuable insight in the guidelines came from youth who attended the first Rainbow Youth Conference in 2017. LGBTQ2S+ and ally students across the North developed music, visual art, spoken word poetry, and videos featuring messages of inclusion and support. The students shared their ideas on what needs to happen to ensure their schools are respectful, caring, and safe for everyone.

We will be hosting the second Rainbow Youth Conference this spring, and sharing the new guidelines with the students. Community and territorial leaders will also have the opportunity to hear their stories at the Lunch with Leaders; I hope you all attend. I truly hope the students see themselves in the work and know that their input has helped break down barriers to understanding.

Mr. Speaker, Northwest Territories schools should be safe and caring environments for the entire school community. With the release of the guidelines, the continued education and wellness partnerships, and most of all, the individuals and groups paving the way for inclusion and equity, I believe our schools can be the places of change where we respect each other's differences and recognize our similarities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the Members that I will be absent from the House for a portion of today's proceedings to attend a Council of the Federation teleconference call. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Ministers' statements. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Making strategic infrastructure investments that connect communities, expand the economy, and reduce the cost of living is a priority of this government. Infrastructure projects bring skills, training, and economic opportunities to our communities and their residents. Infrastructure plays a very important role in the longevity and health of the people of the Northwest Territories.

During the last Assembly, the government completed work on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, with the grand opening occurring just two years ago. This award-winning project has had a huge impact on the region, helping to connect communities and increase the tourism potential of the Beaufort-Delta. This past September, construction began on another new highway project, the Tlicho All-Season Road, and today I am happy to provide Members with an update.

I am pleased to report that work on the Tlicho All-Season Road is both ahead of schedule and on budget. As of December, embankment construction had been completed for the first 36 kilometres, along with a number of culverts and drainage ditches. The project is scheduled for substantial completion by November 2021 and final completion in the fall of 2022.

When the Tlicho All-Season Road opens, this two-lane gravel highway will cover a distance of 97 kilometres and provide year-round access from Highway No. 3 to Whati. This project will help to connect communities, support employment and training opportunities, increase our territory's resiliency to climate change, and create new social and economic opportunities.

Already, we are seeing the benefits this project is having for our residents and communities. By December of 2019, close to 6,000 hours of cumulative training had already taken place through the Tlicho resident training program. This includes training in job readiness, heavy equipment operation, camp cooking, and first aid. As well, as of December 2019, 137 workers were working on site. Nearly half of these workers are Northwest Territories residents, including 35 percent who are Tlicho citizens. Approximately 40 percent of business contracts for this project have also gone to northern businesses.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is working closely with the Tlicho Government on this project. The Tlicho Government is an equity partner in North Star Infrastructure, with whom the GNWT has a public/private partnership, or P3, project agreement to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the road. As demonstrated through projects such as the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link, P3s can be a successful way to advance major projects while achieving the best value for money for the government and taxpayers.

I am pleased to report that, in November, the Tlicho All-Season Road was one of five projects to be recognized by the prestigious Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. As one of the first P3s in North America with an Indigenous government holding a cash-funded equity stake, the project won gold in the National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our P3 partners, both the Tlicho Government and Kiewit Canada Development Company, on this significant achievement.

Investing in public infrastructure is a core responsibility of government that benefits our residents and supports economic development across the territory. In the long term, the Tlicho All-Season Road is expected to reduce the cost of living for the region and support new social opportunities, while helping to attract additional interest from industry in the exploration and development of natural resources.

This highway continues to be a priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Tlicho. I will continue to provide updates as we progress through the project timelines, and I look forward to the day when our residents can drive to and from Whati all year round, not just during the winter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, today I'm pleased to share information on the NWT Association of Communities' upcoming annual general meeting and the specific training and networking opportunity for chiefs and mayors.

The NWT Association of Communities represents all 33 of the NWT's incorporated communities. Together, they are an effective voice for community governments. The NWTAC promotes the exchange of information among community governments, working together to reach collective goals. The NWT Association of Communities will host their 2020 annual general meeting in Inuvik from February 27^th until the 29^th.

This is a time of complex changes in the world, especially with the effects of climate change that we are experiencing in the North. Apparently, a theme for the AGM this year is managing change. Mr. Doug Griffiths has been invited as a keynote speaker and will share his knowledge and experience in helping communities identify challenges and develop solutions to become successful during this time of change. This year, there will be an interactive session focused on healthy communities and the social development of health, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Services. This collaborative opportunity will be followed by a healthy living fair. I am excited to note that the formal AGM will wrap up with discussions with the Cabinet. This session has historically been very popular with community representatives, and I am pleased to share that Cabinet will be in attendance.

In addition, leading up to the AGM, MACA and the NWTAC are collaborating to offer mayors and chiefs the opportunity to attend the second annual Mayors and Chiefs Bootcamp on the 25^th and 26^th of February, and training for elected officials on the 27^th prior to the start of the AGM later in the afternoon.

This year's bootcamp is about building relationships to help navigate the everyday challenges of governance. The focus of the elected officials training is in the process of being finalized, but topics being considered include addressing the media, fraud prevention, and forensic audits, and the importance of these actions.

On behalf of the GNWT, I wish the NWT Association of Communities well with their upcoming AGM and training opportunities. I look forward to being a part of the discussions and hearing from the communities to better understand their priorities and concerns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to discuss the housing and homelessness in my community. Since elected, I have many discussions with residents in regard to the Inuvik Housing Authority wait lists and policies, concerns of lack of beds at the homeless shelter, people who are having to stay in the wet shelter who don't have any addiction issues because of nowhere else to go, and people who are just going from couch to couch. I have been asked why there are vacant units not being filled. I have seen these units in my community. The most recent update I received is that we are currently sitting with 97 people, families, on this wait list. Some of my constituents have been waiting for years.

I would like to highlight one of our priorities for this 19^th Assembly, which talks about increasing the number of affordable homes and reduce core housing needs. Then, I'd like to highlight some of our 19^th Assembly priorities in the area of increased student education outcomes to the same level as the rest of Canada, improve early childhood development indicators for all children initiatives, and create a polytechnic university.

Housing is just one basic need to survive, next to food and clothing. If we look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs, housing is at the bottom, and we need to meet those needs at the bottom to move up. At the top of the pyramid, it is self-actualization, which is a desire to become the most that one can be. It is no wonder that we have the issues we have with our education graduation rates, child and family services, addictions, mental health, and crisis in youth and adults. If a person cannot even access a basic need to survive, how do we expect them to succeed in any of these priorities?

Anything we as a government can do to get people into homes, we need to do. We need to take risks, as our Finance Minister stated yesterday. We need to take risks on adding homes to our public housing allotment. With this thinking, we will begin to meet their basic needs so they will be successful and transition out of public housing before the date that our Premier continuously reminds us of 2038, when we will no longer have CMHC funding for operation cost funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2016, Northern Transportation Company Limited filed for bankruptcy. Subsequently, this government purchased the assets of NTCL for $7.5 million. The justification for the purchase was the need for reliable and dependable barging services for our remote NWT communities and to address the high cost of living, which we know is a significant problem for residents of small communities.

Mr. Speaker, at the time, the GNWT stated it would be reaching out to private sector partners to come up with a made-in-the-North marine transportation service solution for our residents. To this end, the government retained the services of Offshore Recruiting Services, also referred to as ORSI, a recruiting firm from the east coast of Canada. Their company website states that it specializes in the provision of skilled and certified marine, drill, subsea construction, and catering personnel. My understanding is that MTS, subsequent to NTCL's bankruptcy, identified and recruited former NTCL managers to oversee its operations. In addition to these managers, the GNWT has provided various supports to the Department of Infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, ORSI is currently supplying MTS with not only marine personnel, but also terminal crews that include management, supervisors, general labour, lead hands, mechanics, welders, machinists, electricians, office administration staff, maintenance, and others. My concern is whether or not the current structure is working in the best interest of this government. Some of the management is directly employed by ORSI, and it is this management that dictates hours of work, purchase of services, and purchases of material. ORSI, I am assuming, is compensated based on a cost-plus basis, which raises red flags.

I am looking to the Department of Infrastructure to ensure that the cost of work being undertaken by MTS is monitored for fiscal responsibility and fairness; that costing of MTS work versus work for third parties is being allocated appropriately; that we are doing everything we can to employ and train Northerners; and that we are treating our Northern contractors and businesses fairly.

Mr. Speaker, for what was to be a made-in-the-North solution, we appear to have failed once again. I'm not sure why we enjoy sending our limited financial resources to southern companies, but we do, and I'm looking to this government to put a stop to it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Hay River. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I was delighted to learn this month that the Department of Health and Social Services has started work on an alcohol strategy. Alcohol abuse is a problem that touches all our lives, often with tragic consequences.

I'm going to summarize Harold Johnson's story of tackling the harm alcohol is doing to his First Nation. Mr. Johnson is Cree from Montreal Lake in Saskatchewan. He is a Harvard-educated lawyer who still works on his family's trap line. He has seen firsthand that alcohol is responsible for the vast majority of injuries and deaths in his community. In his book titled "Firewater, How Alcohol is Killing My People and Yours," he asks: "Given all we know about alcohol, its harm to the health of our bodies, our families, our communities, why aren't we doing more, something, about it?"

Mr. Johnson reviews a variety of models for dealing with alcohol abuse before coming to some important conclusions. First, he calls the courts "alcohol aftermath administrators." They can't solve alcohol abuse because it's not a legal problem. Second, he notes that outside treatment centres have roughly a 6 percent success rate. He says: "Somehow, we have to turn our communities into treatment centres so that the whole community becomes involved in finding healthy alternatives." Third, he says, banning alcohol doesn't work because bootleggers control the supply, and police efforts to curb them are largely unsuccessful.

Mr. Speaker, his final point is his most important. He believes that we make change by setting an example as sober leaders. He says: "If leadership behaves responsibly, is not involved in scandal, works diligently for the betterment of the people, and creates a story of dignity and morals, then people will see that and participate in the story."

Mr. Johnson and others have started work, or did start work four years ago, on a community alcohol management plan. Local leadership decided on actions, including enhanced support for treatment and hosting more alcohol-free events. Early indicators are that emergency room visits and impaired driving rates have both dropped. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An alcohol strategy is not a magic bullet. Sober leaders working with community agencies have made a positive start on alcohol harm reduction in northern Saskatchewan, and we can, too. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. It was great to get the Minister of Lands' Minster's statement earlier today. Today, I am issuing a real red alert as our government is poised to assume tens of millions of dollars in environmental liabilities associated with the Cameron Hills sour gas field. I made a number of very critical statements in this House and asked a lot of tough questions on just how our government allowed this series of unfortunate events to unfold. How did our GNWT assume responsibility for the Cameron Hills gas field under devolution without an approved closure plan and without adequate financial security and yet never formally requested a revision in financial security or used other tools at its disposal to prevent this disaster?

Here are the latest developments, Mr. Speaker. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board gave conditional approval to the fourth version of a closure and reclamation plan for Cameron Hills on January 16, 2020. Further changes are to be submitted by March 19, 2020. Strategic Oil and Gas had committed to provide an updated financial security estimate by June 30, 2020. The changes and updated financial security estimate will likely never happen, as an Alberta court granted an order on January 28, 2020, to appoint Alvarez and Marsal Canada Inc. as the receiver of all Strategic Oil and Gas so-called assets in the NWT. Basically, this means all efforts to sell or restructure the company have failed and what is left is to be sold in an attempt to settle some of the debts incurred.

On the same date, the executive director of the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations filed an affidavit with the Alberta court stating that at least three wells owned by Strategic in the Cameron Hills field are currently in an unsafe state, with one of these wells leaking sour gas, which is toxic to humans and poses a risk to flora and fauna in the area. I will again have questions for the Minister of Lands on how we got ourselves in this mess of red ink whereby taxpayers of the Northwest Territories are on the hook for tens of millions of dollars of environmental liabilities, and what is being done about it. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the current minor hockey program in Fort Providence, after being inactive for quite a number of years. It had its humble beginnings back in 2012, when a local hockey coach, Edward Landry, and the manager of the Northern Store, Tim Cragg, decided to start up the minor hockey program. They began with three to four players. Eventually, more kids wanted to join, but there was a lack of hockey equipment to outfit them. With the assistance of the Canadian Tire program Jumpstart, the minor hockey program received 20 bags of hockey equipment. This led to more kids wanting to play hockey.

They attended their first hockey tournament in 2017 at Fort Smith. This was in the initiation division. After more fundraising and finding sponsors, they were able to purchase their first set of hockey jerseys with the team name and logo, Fort Providence Ice Ducks. The jerseys are a nice colour of orange. The team eventually attended tournaments in Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife. The kids attended hockey camps and other development camps such as the Reggie Leach Shoot to Score hockey camps held in Fort Smith and Hay River.

Just as recently as this past weekend, the team entered the Atom Tournament in Hay River. I was there to watch the tournament, and you could see the huge smiles on the faces of the kids. They belong to a sports team, and the camaraderie with kids their own age is an experience they will have for quite some time. Team coach Edward Landry, along with his wife, Bertha, and the kids' parents are making this a worthwhile experience for the kids in Fort Providence and deserve the recognition and praise from the community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to begin my Member's statement by quoting from our consensus guiding principles: "Consensus government is a unique combination of the British traditions of ministerial responsibility, Cabinet solidarity, and legislative accountability and the Aboriginal traditions of open dialogue, inclusive decision-making, accommodation, respect, and trust." Mr. Speaker, I love consensus government. I would never wish to be a politician in a partisan system, but the system we operate in only works when we all play our roles and we make sure these conventions are followed.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to the principle of ministerial responsibility. That is the principle which is a Westminster's system of government where a Cabinet Minister bears the ultimate responsibility for all actions of their department. The accountable Minister must take the blame for the faults of their department. "This means that, if waste, corruption, or any misbehaviour is found to have occurred within a ministry, the Minster is responsible even if the Minister had no knowledge of the actions." Mr. Speaker, that quote there is from Wikipedia, a source just as infallible as our own guiding principles.

This principle is essential to consensus government, Mr. Speaker, as it guarantees that elected officials are answerable for every single government decision. It is key to motivate Ministers to closely scrutinize the activities within their department. One rule coming from this principle is that each Cabinet Member answers for their own ministry in question period.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, when the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation started talking about their election campaign as an excuse for not knowing what is happening in their department, that is not acceptable. This is not how our system of government works. When a Minister starts talking about decisions of previous Ministers, that is not how this system works. Today, I heard the Minister talk about and take credit for an award on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. They get to take credit for that because they are responsible for all past decisions of their ministry. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation on how the Arnica Inn project got denied due to her department not providing support and how she is going to take responsibility to correct this situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to speak about an event that will be taking place very soon within my riding in the community of Detah. This event is part of a week-long list of festivities taking place in the Yellowknife area titled "Naka Festival," which is an aurora-themed event that celebrates the northern lights and highlights the Dene culture for the region. For clarity, Naka means "northern lights" in the Wiilideh dialect.

The concluding event of this week-long festival will be the Indigenous Cultural Gala taking place in Detah on Saturday, March 7, 2020, in the evening at the Chief Drygeese Hall of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. This festival, Mr. Speaker, is a collaborative effort with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, North Slave Metis Alliance, GNWT, and NWT Tourism.

This will be the second consecutive cultural gala taking place in Detah, and I must say I am very excited to be attending this event once again. Last year's inaugural gala was a wonderful event that showcased northern art and creativity at its finest. For me, the highlight of that event last year was seeing the fiddler Wesley Hardisty and William Greenland on flute. It was an electric atmosphere. My daughters took part in modelling down the runway. I was so proud, and it was such a wonderful atmosphere to be in. I encourage any Members and any member of the public to go see this event, because it is a wonderful event.

Again, going back to what I was saying, Mr. Speaker, if this year's event will be anything like last year's, people can expect to see creations of all sorts being modelled on a runway, very much akin to a fashion show. Last year's event featured dozens of items on display, from handmade earrings, necklaces, traditional vests, to dresses, hats, mitts, gloves, and other attire.

Mr. Speaker, this cultural gala will feature a whole host of Indigenous clothing designers, makeup artists, hair stylists, musicians, and others, all under one roof. It is events like these, Mr. Speaker, which demonstrate the great importance of the arts and of one's culture and identity. I would argue that, among the many hallmark features of identity, chiefly among them is the value of art, music, clothing, furs, and fashion ingenuity.

I could go on and on about the positive effects that events like these bring into our smaller communities. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

In conclusion, I can see that it brings the best out of us in a truly collaborative fashion, no pun intended. I hope to see that this event continues to achieve great access into the future and continues seeing partnerships being built and collaboration being achieved among the Yellowknives Dene and the City of Yellowknife. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, I raised my concerns on the GNWT managing the board of the Power Corporation. Today, I am raising concerns on the NTPC and how it treats its customers in the communities.

The Power Corporation has a 60-page document available on the website on terms and conditions of service to customers. The policy of the document gives NTPC the authority to disconnect service to the customer who does not pay their power bill within 28 days after the billing date. It also says NTPC can refuse to reconnect a customer until arrears are paid in full, late payment charges are paid up, and a security deposit is provided for a reconnection fee. The NTPC policy provides the corporation with its sole discretion to limit the electricity to customers as an alternative to disconnection.

Mr. Speaker, in the winter months, this is unacceptable. This is done with a technology called a current-limiting device. I heard this from constituents as a subject that, with this technology, someone in Hay River could just flip the switch and your power is cut off or you are given 10 minutes at a time. At 50 below, Mr. Speaker, that is unacceptable. The customer in Ulukhaktok and Tuktoyaktuk and Sachs Harbour, then without power, is flicked back on for 10 minutes. You could imagine that, when you are trying to run a household and you have little children occupied by the TV or trying to make dinner, flick goes off the power, no warning. Then it comes back on 10 minutes later, when the "Wizard of Oz" in Hay River grants the 10-minute window of power to finish cooking your meal or flick the TV back on and get to feed the family in the dark, probably. Now, 50 below outside, blizzard going on, no worries about that because every pipe is freezing up in your house, unacceptable.

The use of technology given by the mighty wizard may feel benevolent, but nothing kind in it. I have said I am hopeful that the government will know more and show more compassion to the people that it serves. It should absolutely be prohibited in terminating or interrupting power during the winter months. Life is hard enough in our small communities. Lack of heat, it's life threatening, especially in our smaller communities.

Since NTPC is run by a bunch of deputy ministers, it seems to me the Minister has the power, no pun intended, to direct them to change the policies, bring back the end of the use of the current-limiting device, and allow people to pay their bills in full, but they are stuck with expensive bills, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, this is so important for our small communities. Legislation should change, that they are unable to cut power off like this until, say, August or November till April. Because small communities' housing houses don't have wood stoves, it goes on and on, has a rippling effect to the people who we represent. Thank you. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last August, CBC North and True North Rotary partnered to host Yellowknife's Friendship Breakfast to break down barriers and misunderstandings for homeless people in our city; people who largely feel invisible.

My children and I ate breakfast with a man from Fort Resolution who told us about bush adventures, moving to Hay River, and about his first and only trip out of the Northwest Territories. He spoke wide-eyed and excited as he recounted his trip to Calgary, where he stood at the top of the Calgary Tower. His eyes grew weary as he explained to my children just how high the tower was and how he and his friends took a taxi for 45 minutes to get there. He then told my children about how addiction took control of his days and of his eventual move to the streets of Yellowknife. This concept was lost on my younger children, but my oldest son's eyes told me he felt the weight of the importance of where this conversation was going.

As a child growing up in Yellowknife, we did have a handful of people who lived on our streets. We knew them all by name, and the most infamous were "Charlie" and "Archie." By a 2018 count, roughly 338 people are now experiencing homelessness on Yellowknife streets. Ninety percent of these people are Indigenous, and only 16 percent come from Yellowknife.

Discussions found the top three NWT communities people migrate to Yellowknife from are Behchoko, Hay River, and Fort Smith. The most common reasons reported for becoming homeless were inability to pay rent, addiction and substance use, partner conflict, and job loss.

For months following the friendship breakfast, change from couch cushions and piggy banks instantly became a coffee or a soup for their friend and weekend drives were largely spent driving until we delivered it. In December, our luck ran out and we no longer spotted our friend on drives around town. Eventually, the kids stopped asking, but, this past weekend, we walked into a coffee shop and immediately I heard, "Well, there's my friend with the little, blue eyes." I turned to see a familiar face, and my boy's eyes lit up as he found his friend once again.

I am thankful to the efforts of CBC North and True North Rotary to break down barriers and forge relationships within our community. People need to feel love. People need to be seen. People need to be remembered. I am thankful we live in a community that gave my children the opportunity to learn that, along with a friend whose name they will never forget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I would like to make a statement regarding Aurora College. We do not really know exactly the reason why this person was let go. We are saying this because we have questions and concerns from the community that are coming in, and that is our statement. [Translation ends].

I asked the Premier to tell us where the power to fire the president of Aurora College came from. I quote her response from unedited Hansard. The Premier said: "Hiring and firing the employment contracts is separate than appointments," and, further, she said, "Just because a statutory appointment might be part of a person's job, it does not mean that the applicable Minister who made the appointment is responsible for governing the employment relationship."

Mr. Speaker, the Premier has confused her powers under the Public Service Act with the Minister of Education's powers under the Aurora College Act. In her confusion, I believe she has misled this House and overstepped her authority, in fact breaking the law.

The Public Service Act permitted the Premier to fire Dr. Weegar in his role as associate deputy minister of postsecondary education renewal, but her powers under that act did not apply to Dr. Weegar in his dual capacity as president of Aurora College. Under the Aurora College Act, that power rests plainly with the Minister.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education's power to hire and fire are one and the same by virtue of section 18 of the Interpretation Act, which states explicitly that the power to appoint a public officer also includes the power to terminate the appointment and remove the public officer from employment in the territorial government. Read together with the Interpretation Act, the Aurora College Act makes it clear, Mr. Speaker, that the only person with the authority to remove someone's appointment as college president is the Minister of Education, and this termination would bring to an end the president's employment.

If these statutory realities aren't enough to convince the Premier of the errors of her ways, the Aurora College Act offers one other bit of guidance that should have told her she was exceeding her powers. For added clarity, section 19(3) of the Aurora College Act states that, for greater certainty, the Minister's authority to appoint the president "operates notwithstanding the Public Service Act."

Put simply, section 19(3) of the Aurora College Act provides that the Public Service Act, and the various processes it sets out for making appointments, has no role in the appointment and termination of the college's president.

It should be troubling to this House that the Premier would play so free and easy with something as sanctified as the duly enacted statutes of this House. It makes one wonder where else she might choose to exceed her authority as a Premier. I believe her misconduct warrants an apology to this House and a pledge to us that this will never happen again. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Colleagues, I am pleased to recognize two groups of Legislature interns visiting us from Ontario and Manitoba. They are here this week to learn more about our consensus form of government. With us today from Ontario are Misha Powell, Eric Osbourne, Marian Bayseez, Vanessa Groobs, Jennifer Hann, Jeremy Istead, Meagan Irons, Kira Lawler, Claire McDonald, and program manager, Alyssa McAterelly. Also joining us from Manitoba are Mariah George, Chelsea Rapstead, Sinoman Ray, sorry if I got that wrong, Franklin Moldin, Shishiba McGroobay, hope I got that right, Bailey Palekir. Please join me in welcoming them to our proceedings. Also with us today is probably the longest-serving constituency assistant in this house, Elizabeth Wright. Also with us from Tsiigehtchic are Britney Kendo and Dale Cole. They are Pages with us. Mahsi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Monfwi.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I would like to thank Mary Rose for coming back. She has been interpreting for many, many years, and she is interpreting all of our words. I'd like just to thank her. Masi.[Translation ends.]

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, replies to the budget address. Item 7, acknowledgements. Item 8, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have spoken several times in this House about the harm that alcohol does to the people of the Northwest Territories. We spend a fortune on the effects of alcohol abuse without ever addressing the elephant in the room, which is alcohol itself. Alcohol touches every part of our lives, whether we drink or not. With this in mind, I was delighted to discover that the Department of Health and Social Services has started preliminary work on an alcohol strategy. My question for the Minister is: what does she want an alcohol strategy to accomplish? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister for Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sorry, things are dropping all around here. The Member has asked about the alcohol strategy, and our department has put a tender out for the development of a territorial alcohol strategy. This is basically preliminary research on a procurement of shared services to develop a territorial alcohol strategy, and presumably it would fit within it. We're trying to get a background on information that would help us develop a strategy. We are right now in the process doing the tender process.

I recognize that the Minister had a flurry of action around her when I asked my question, and I don't think she heard what I said. I am asking a much more general question, which is: what does she want an alcohol strategy to accomplish?

The overall approach from the department is to be able to have a scan of what are some of the alcohol, you know, the department realizes that we need to reduce the prevalence and impacts of addiction in the Northwest Territories. That is one of the things we would like to have a look at. Also, the territorial government had a territorial committee on problematic substance abuse, and this was just established in January. The mandate is to develop a comprehensive response to the ongoing issues related to substance in the Northwest Territories. That's why the department is looking at an alcohol strategy.

Thank you to the Minister for that answer. My next question is about how the strategy is going to be created, and who will be involved in the work to create this. Is this a multi-party drafting proposition, or is the department going to draft the whole thing itself?

The territorial committee on problematic substance abuse allows the GNWT to address harms of alcohol abuse, as well as other substances. The territorial committee on problematic substance abuse will report to the deputy ministers, given the interdepartmental structure. The membership of the territorial committee will consist of representatives from the Department of Health and Social Services; the Department of Justice; the Department of Education, Culture and Employment; the Department of Finance; the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority; the Tlicho Service Agency; the Office of the Chief Coroner; the RCMP; the Workers Safety Compensation Commission; and the NWT Association of Communities.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not having much luck today, but I'm going to press on. The preliminary work on the alcohol strategy is going to be finished, and I'm not totally sure who is going to create the alcohol strategy proper. My last question is really about timing. When does the Minister expect to have the alcohol strategy completed?

I can get back to the Member with the timelines. We have a tender currently out in RFP, so I can get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of housing. My first question to the Minister is: will the Minister of housing take a risk at increasing the housing stock so Inuvik's wait list may decrease?

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have in our mandate that we are to be increasing the housing stock throughout the Northwest Territories by 25 houses annually. We are working toward homeownership so they can free up the houses and we're able to work with Indigenous groups to offset our old stock. So, going forward, we are working toward a plan to improve housing in the Northwest Territories and increase our public housing number of units in our smaller communities, and throughout the territories, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That didn't really answer my question, but that's a bigger-picture plan. What is the plan to house these families? As I mentioned, there are 97 on the wait list. The majority of these are single and they've been waiting six, seven years on this wait list, living with other families, couch surfing. I have one member who just told me she lives in a three-bedroom house with eight people, and she has health issues. So what is the plan for the housing Minister to deal with the authorities to get these people housed?

Going forward, I do realize we do have a shortage of units in the territory, and I want to let the Member know that we do have houses that are being constructed this year, but I'm just not sure which communities will be receiving them. I will give a list over to the Member to let her know if there are units scheduled to be built in her region.

Will the Minister commit to working with the Minister of ECE to look at their housing lists, especially in my community, to see if there are people who are single on income support? Because what I'm hearing is that they are not given enough funding to be on their own, and there is only a limited amount, so they can only rent a room. So can they work together in my community to look at what it costs to have an apartment and get them housed?

I will be working with my colleague and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. As this is a new concern to me, I am really interested in following up with my colleague and I will be following up with the Member, as well.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one last question: does the Minister agree that not providing adequate housing in Inuvik and all communities outside the capital causes them to migrate to Yellowknife, which increases the homeless in the city and the need for NGOs to look for solutions like the Arnica Inn?

Homelessness is a huge problem in our Northwest Territories, and looking at solutions going forward and how are we going to be working as a territory and addressing this issue, I would like to meet with the Member and discuss the issues in her region. We do have a pending strategy right now happening in Yellowknife, and the Member is aware of that, but I would like to follow up with her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to have questions for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. Does the NTPC have the policy set on how the current device for the current limiting system? Does it have that set in policy, and when do they use it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Member bringing this concern to me I think about three weeks ago, when we started looking into this. To answer his first question, yes, it's in our policy. It's about how we use it. The second thing, it's only used during the wintertime. It's making sure that the facility, the house or the building, is not frozen up, and so it doesn't cause the pipes to freeze. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

So it's only used in the wintertime, not in the summertime? So we're okay in the summer, but that's the wrong time of the year. It's minus 50 at home; 56 in the coastal communities. The wind is blowing. Families are having to go in 10 minutes of power; 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. I'm asking: would the Minister direct his deputy ministers or the board to cut off or to stop using the limiters from October to April?

Why we don't do it in the summertime is because we disconnect. We have 2,999 delinquent accounts, $2.2 million in arrears that the government has to cover, which means our other clients have to deal with it. In regard to the situation from October to April I believe the Member has asked for, I'm willing to look into this to see if it's something feasible, but right now, people have to understand, when the limiters are used, it's a last resort. We try every possible way to make sure we don't get to that stage.

Has the Minister ever spoken to any of his elders in his community, or anybody across the territory, who have actually been limited with the device?

I do have a number of people in my riding who have had this experience. We've talked about it. The biggest thing, when I'm talking to my elders and the constituents, is about payment plans working out there. If there are other options available, then they can reach out to that. The Power Corporation does provide that information to people on the notices, that they are able to do that.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, in the Delta, like I always said like a broken record these last few months about people not having jobs and not being able to pay things in full because they're having to choose either pay your rent, pay your power, buy food or clothing for your children, Mr. Speaker. I'm asking this Minister to direct his board to stop using these limiters from October to April and to get repayment plans during the summer when people are actually working. Is that possible? Thank you.

Like I said the first time, or in the second question, I'll look into it and I'll get back to this House. Right now, what we're trying to do is make sure that limiters are a last resort. I want to repeat that: it's our last resort. What we want to do is work with them on payment plans, work with them to see what other options are available through the government, through various programs, and so we try to get that information to them. So, again, it's our last resort, but I will check and have a conversation with the board and the president and, as we move forward, we'll get back to you. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. In my statement earlier today I noted that the so-called assets of Strategic Oil and Gas in the NWT, namely the Cameron Hills sour gas field that is now in receivership. Can the Minister of Lands explain how and why our government took Cameron Hills under the devolution agreement and whether there is an opportunity to give it back to the federal government? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During devolution negotiations, the GNWT and Canada developed criteria to determine which sites would be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Northwest Territories. The Cameron Hills site held by Strategic Oil and Gas was one of the sites that we agreed to take over because it was still operational at that time. Right now, though, currently, the receiver is responsible for managing the site, and not the GNWT.

I want to thank the Minister for that. Clearly, those criteria have not worked in our favour. We're just going to assume millions of dollars of environmental liabilities. It sounds like it was a bad deal. I want to thank the Minister for that explanation. Can the Minister explain whether our government ever asked for a ruling by the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board or requested an increase to financial security under any permit or licence for the Cameron Hills sour gas field and, if not, why?

The GNWT requested updates to Strategic Oil and Gas closure plans through the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. Closure plans provided necessary information upon which reassessment of accumulated securities could be calculated. The process to date to update the plan was not completed when it went into receivership.

I want to thank the Minister for that. This went under on our watch, and we really didn't do enough to stop it, so the Cameron Hills sour gas field is now in receivership. Does GNWT or the regulator of oil and gas still have unfettered access to any financial security for this operation, and, if so, what are the values of such security?

The GNWT was successful to catch a security of $2.9 million. These funds represent the security held under the water licence and land use permit. Unfortunately, the funds held by the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations are confidential.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Frame Lake.

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Great to hear that the amount held by OROGO is confidential. So much for open and transparent government. I know we fixed that in the legislation. We still have to do regulations, but this is not a good way to manage our resources.

Can the Minister explain whether our government or the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas has calculated or estimated what the environmental liabilities are likely to be for Cameron Hills, and what portion we are now likely to assume now that the property's in receivership? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Strategic Oil and Gas was not able to complete their closure plan before it went into receivership. The goal of the receivership process is to sell off the assets, and the procedure of any sales can be used for the clean-up costs. Now that the receiver has been in place or appointed to address the NWT assets, the process will become clearer in the weeks and months to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. That minor hockey team that I was speaking about earlier, apparently, must have had a lot of sweets and lots of candy on the road there, which leads me into dental care now. The residents of Fort Providence are concerned with the lack of frequent dental visits to the community. It was pointed out to me that there was an instance where it was a whole year before they even saw a dentist in the community. Apparently, there is space for the dental team in the new health centre, and I am not certain it is being used at all. Can the Health Minister confirm that the department has a contract with a dental service provider for Fort Providence? Mahsi.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can find that information out for the Member. At this time, I'm not aware of the details specifically to Fort Providence and the space that is in the health centre there. Thank you.

Mahsi to the Minister for that answer. I'm not going to get too many answers, it seems like, for the dental team as the Minister doesn't know all the information there. I would like to have more information, if she's going to dig out information, about this list of known dental team visits to the community for the year 2019, and also if she can provide the number of days in a given week that the dental team is in the community? I would appreciate that information, also, with that.

Yes, absolutely. If the Member wants to provide me with his list of questions, then, I can definitely get back to him.

Thank you. Member for Deh Cho. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, during question period, the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation repeatedly said that the Women's Society should reach out to her regarding the Arnica project. I can confirm that they've been in contact with the department throughout this process. Mr. Speaker, there's a $60-million co-investment fund for housing allocated to the Northwest Territories. My concern is: I am sick of being reactive. We need to be a proactive government that goes out and gets that money. Will the Minister commit to setting up a meeting with all the relevant parties to the Arnica project and get to the bottom of what the issue is, and see whether we can save this project?

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A contact was set out early this afternoon, after my meeting with the Member. Hopefully, we are able to get in contact with the parties for the Arnica Inn. A meeting will go forward. Hopefully, that will happen by the end of the week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That may be my first "yes" in this Legislative Assembly. Yesterday, there was concern about whether we had actually supported this project. Will the Minister commit that, if CMHC comes up with this three quarters of this funding, we are able to find the $660,000 and we will follow suit and provide our funding to this project?

The application for the Arnica Inn has to be resubmitted. I have instructed my staff to reach out to the Yellowknife Women's Society to start our communication process going forward. Looking at the project, we are looking for money internally to support the project, and going forward, I will keep the Members informed.

There is almost a "yes" there. I do believe there are some parliamentary issues about a Minister committing money on the floor, but I'll look forward to the updates. My next question regarding the co-investment fund: I understand there's a number in the works. The problem here is that this is the first one that seemed to fail, and I don't want to be standing up in the House every single time we hear that our Housing Corporation did not support a project. My question is: will the Minister assign someone in the Housing Corporation to coordinate applications and work with proponents so that we can access this federal money?

The co-investment fund that is accessible through the federal money that is accessible to the Northwest Territories is a new initiative, and a new funding pot that we do have access to. The Arnica application was the first; not the Arnica, the application from the Yellowknife Women's Society was one of the first applications that made it to the second stage. Actually, it is the first. Going forward, we will be looking at a position that will fill the responsibility to make sure that there is straight communication for the application process from the Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that, and I appreciate the Minister keeping us updated. My next question is: as we are providing this funding, I believe the Housing Corporation has repeatedly stated that our goal is partnerships, the future is partnerships. Throughout this process, it is clear there has been a breakdown in communication in exactly what the Housing Corporation's role is and whether they are providing technical advice, whether they want partnerships with Indigenous governments for all projects, whether they are going to fund the 25 percent. Will the Minister commit to setting out clear guidelines for the application process and what the Housing Corporation's role is in accessing this federal co-investment fund?

I did speak to my department, and I have instructed them to complete a criteria. In regard to the 75/25, it would be with the application and what the responsibility we are going to carry out as a Housing Corporation, yes, we will go forward and be more clear on our process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to give credit to the last Assembly when they purchased the assets of NTCL. It was a good move on their part. However, when it comes to the operation, we have a problem. We were to have a made-in-the-North solution. Instead, we have had a southern company running the operation for the last three years. First of all, I would like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure: what process did this government use for retaining the services of ORSI? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The current contract was awarded through the public procurement process. My understanding is the request for proposal was released on October 10, 2017 and it closed on December 5^th of the same year. We received four proposals for the work, and the contract was awarded to the highest responsible proponent, which was the Offshore Recruiting Services Inc., or ORSI as you called them. The term of the contract was for one season plus an option to extend for three additional years. The current contract will expire on December 31, 2020.

I will ask the Minister: will MTS be evaluating and looking at developing in-house capabilities for recruiting terminal staff?

MTS has contracted ORSI due to their unique expertise in the recruitment and day-to-day management of offshore labour, so we do not have a current plan for the government to assume this function. We do have the marine training centre in Hay River, which is funded by Transport Canada, and that was providing marine-related industry training to Northwest Territories residents. We wanted to introduce them to the marine industry in hopes that they will pursue careers in the field and we can increase our numbers there. We did employ a number of the students last year from that institute, as did the Canadian Coast Guard. Where we can, MTS will continue to commit to employing those students in the future. We employed a total of 194 employees in 2019 to support the operations in the peak season, 92 of whom were Northwest Territories residents and 39 were local-hire Indigenous residents. Thank you.

It's interesting that the Minister says that ORSI has unique expertise. I guess I have lived in Hay River for close to a hundred years, and I have worked for NTCL before, and, when I was a kid, I used to hang around there. It always seemed at that point that there was pretty well all, even riverboat captains and that, it was Northerners who worked there. There were very few Southerners. All of a sudden, as time goes on, we shift. We make that shift, and we always think everything is better in the South. I guess I am just making a point there. The question is: what oversight is in place to ensure this government is receiving cost-effective service from ORSI?

I do acknowledge the Member's frustration with this process, so I commit to continuing to work with him to move forward. The contract for the services includes terms and conditions which the contractor must abide by. GNWT MTS management staff are responsible for ensuring the contractor performs, and they are in regular, frequent contact with the contractor management. Costs are managed on a biweekly basis by the MTS finance staff, and they are ensuring the invoice costs are in line with those terms and conditions of the contract. Like I said, the current contract does expire in 2020, at the end of this year, so we will be reviewing the performance of the contractor prior to extending for the last option that we have, so I commit to working with the Member going forward to hear his concerns about that and addressing them.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The past government had indicated that a long-term business model for MTS was to be developed, and I am just wondering if this government or your department has looked at that, or if there is anything in place and when we can expect something.

My understanding for the business model plans, that was in 2017. Infrastructure produced a comprehensive, multi-year business plan for MTS, and then they produced an update of that plan last year. They are presently working on the long-term business model that will support the business plan, and exploring different types of governance models. The business model study is expected to be completed by this summer, and then we would be presenting it to committee with the hopes of finalizing it in the fall of 2020. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think, to start us off today, I just want to clarify one of the questions from my colleague, the Member from Yellowknife North. He requested that the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation would commit to inviting the relevant partners to the meeting with the Yellowknife Women's Society, and I just want to clarify that that will include both public servants from housing and education, as well as the mayor of Yellowknife and also potentially the federal MP, Michael McLeod. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.