Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No, 1, 2021-2022. These supplementary estimates propose a total increase of $36.6 million comprised of the following major items:
- First, $4.3 million for investments committed to as part of the 2021-22 main estimates process, including $600,000 to advance the Northwest Territories midwifery program into phase 2 of its implementation;
- $1.4 million to support after-care and community-based addictions programs and services, comprised of $750,000 for a community-based addictions and after-care fund;
- $150,000 to fund the senior advisor to support Indigenous knowledge and wellness coordination and $500,000 for additional community development activities;
- $935,000 to support efforts towards reducing poverty in the Northwest Territories. This includes $750,000 to the anti-poverty fund, $110,000 to increase funding for the roundtable advisory council, and $75,000 to increase core funding to the Hay River shelter;
- $743,000 to pilot a new approach to assisting with improving cultural safety and patient experience; supporting Indigenous patients in having their concerns, complaints, and questions resolved, and bridging cultural and language barriers;
- $500,000 to increase the childcare infrastructure fund;
- $100,000 to increase the Child and Family Services contribution.
- These investments will be offset by a reduction of $4.03 million to departmental travel budgets.
- Second: $14.8 million to support the Northwest Territories aviation sector. This funding request is partially offset by $12.5 million in revenues from the federal government.
- Third: $5.7 million to provide short-term relief to the Northwest Territories tourism operators and accommodation providers, two sectors that have been significantly impacted by the economic disruptions resulting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Fourth: $5 million to support community governments, small businesses and NWT residents for costs incurred due to the 2021 flooding. And consistent with the Disaster Assistance Policy and previous practice, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has established the Disaster Assistance Committee. This committee will establish a list of recoverable costs and the coordination of the recovery process. We do recognize that that process will take some time and in the interim the Departments of Finance and Municipal and Community Affairs will be working together on a process to ensure that there is advancement of some financial relief to residents.
That concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair, and I would be happy to answer any questions that the Members might have.