Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022, Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, total department, not previously authorized, negative $554,000. Does committee agree?

Committee, we will now consider the Department of Finance on page8.

Supplementary Estimates, No. 1, (Operation Expenditures) Department of Finance, directorate, not previously authorized, negative $133,000. Does committee agree?

Supplementary Estimates, No. 1, (Operations Expenditures) 2021-2022, Department of Finance, human resources, not previously authorized, negative $116,000. Does committee agree?

Supplementary Estimates, No. 1, (Operations Expenditures) 2021-2022, Department of Finance, information shared services, not previously authorized, negative $50,000. Does committee agree?

Thank you. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, Department of Finance, management board secretariat, not previously authorized, $15,882,000. Does committee agree?

Member for FrameLake.

Thanks, Madam Chair. Yeah, there's a large item here, almost $15 million support for the NWT aviation industry. I understand most of this money comes from the federal government. But can someone explain to us how this money is allocated amongst various airlines that operate in the Northwest Territories. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Yes, Madam Chair. I would be happy to provide that, and see if I have it. Madam Chair, I'm happy to read it out here if the purpose is to have that put on the record. The listing is fairly lengthy. So just to confirm, I'm happy to provide it to the House, or to table it, perhaps that might be more efficient, or I can read it out. Just to confirm, please.

Member for FrameLake.

Thanks, Madam Chair. Rather than gobble up our valuable time, I'd rather have the Minister table it. But if someone could explain generally how the allocations are made, I think that's what I'm looking for. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Mr. Koe was the lead on this so I'll have him perhaps just describe the process that was used, please.

Thank you. Mr.Koe.

Thank you. Member for FrameLake.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I notice that one of the stories on CBC today is that Air Canada used $10 million of this sort of funding to pay bonuses to its senior executives. Is any of this money that is being given, is it being used for the same sort of purposes here? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I saw that story too. When I saw it, I think the headline actually was that the airlines got a bit of a tongue-lashing from one of my federal colleagues if I might, so. And no, to be short, the contribution agreement that we have in place that is -- that has to be signed by the recipients who are -- the recipient airlines who are receiving this funding are not to be using that for the payment of any sort of bonuses or dividend payments. It is really meant to be provided solely to provide essential air services. There is a holdback provision in the contribution agreement as well so that they are expected to report back in to the Department of Finance so that the officials in the Department of Finance can review their financial information and, indeed, confirm that they have abided by all of what is in the contribution agreement. So, you know, this is our third go around. You know, I think the arrangements with the federal airlines are fairly different. This is our third go now. As Mr. Koe's indicated, there's a good relationship. They're certainly familiar with the information that they are receiving from the airlines, even if each one of them may structure their financial affairs differently. At this point, we've now had three times now gone through them, and three opportunities to review and be familiar with how it is that they are structuring their operations. So, you know, fairly able to look at the materials and I'm confident that indeed they are performing as they are expected to under the contribution agreements. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member.