Thank you. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Madam Chair. That's all I have right now. Mahsi.

Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'll just be brief here. I just want to make a couple comments, is that, you know, when I look at this part of the -- you know, the capital budget, it's a big chunk, and it's really meaningful to contractors in the Northwest Territories. They're relying on this portion of the budget to continue operating through this transition period of government and going forward as well. So I just want to make sure that -- you know, that government is aware of that and that this is needed. And the other thing as well is that, you know, we got to make sure that, you know, the Indigenous governments, you know, have a strong role to play in that part of it as well, to make sure that they are getting some of this work. And if they get that work, you know, I would be -- I would hope that they would actually joint venture if they're going to do that with northern contractors versus southern contractors as well. So I guess it's just more of a comment there just to keep it upfront that we want to make sure the work stays in the North and it actually happens to keep businesses alive here. Thank you.

Thank you. I didn't hear any questions in there. So I'll go to the next Member. Member for Monfwi.

Thank you. This is further to the Frank Channel bridge, Dehk'e. It says here the completion date is going to be 2026-2027. And now that we know that the contract was -- you know, the engineer contract was awarded that, you know, it's just been mentioned. So I just wanted to ask when is the actual work going to start for the construction of the Frank Channel bridge?

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So, I mean, this is right now in the 2024-2025 plan. So we are -- there's already crushing happening this year with significant expenditure for the 2024-2025 plan which, yes, is -- I mean, that's when it will begin. I don't know if the Member's looking for an exact month, I don't have that in front of me. If she'd like a month, I could see if ADM Brennan has that. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Brennan

Thank you. Member for Monfwi.

Yeah, another one too is that -- so who will be supplying all the materials for the constructions? Like, from the steel to the gravel and all that, you know, to build the -- to build the bridge? Like, I just wanted to know, because it should -- will it be supplied by the Indigenous government?

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So, again, at this point only the crush contract has been completed. That one is being done by a local community contractor. Anything on the Frank Channel bridge would have to go through the Tlicho Infrastructure Cooperation Agreement, which there's a presumption in a way that -- or an initial attempt to negotiate directly with the Tlicho government or subsidiary thereof. If there's an inability to reach conclusion, then even so, any outside agreement that may be reached would still then be subject to having provisions within it for employment and I believe also for procurement of some materials, goods, or services. So the point of which is, either way, whether it's a direct contract with the Tlicho or their subsidiary development arms or whether it's private, there are guarantees within that process to ensure that there's benefits directly to the community. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi.

Thank you. Okay, the Frank Channel bridge is beneficial for everybody for the Northwest Territories. It's a busy, busy bridge, and I'm very grateful for that because it's going to be providing employment for the people in the regions. It's -- you know, like, and from Yellowknife as well too. So there's going to be a lot of people benefitting from that so, and that is part of North Slave region. And we are part of North Slave. And so there's nothing actually in the budget for Tlicho region alone. If Tlicho region alone was identified, there would be nothing. And we even had in there where Gameti want an all-season road. They did identify that. And Wekweeti identified that as well. And I really do support, you know, like, what they're asking for. But I just wanted to ask the Minister if there is a plan in place and if there is a plan in place, do they have -- do they have a date of when the actual work or if there was an agreement made with the Tlicho investment -- or infrastructure agreement or with the Tlicho government or with a tech -- or was there any agreement made? I just wanted to ask the Minister that.

Thank you. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So the Tlicho region, or the Monfwi riding, does -- is -- I can summarize they're getting $36,615,000 this year. It is actually 10 percent of the total capital estimates. And that is not including the territorial portion which may well include some of the highway work if that is deemed as territorial. So I can provide a breakdown. I only have that number right now; I don't have a breakdown.

And as for an agreement, I mean, again, I -- I'm not sure I'm entirely understanding the context but the Tlicho Infrastructure Cooperation Agreement does exist between the Tlicho government and the Government of the Northwest Territories. So, I mean, beyond -- and sorry, and just to confirm, Madam Chair, indeed the capital estimates, I'm saying the 10 percent that's going to Monfwi is -- it is it actually quite far and apart beyond the bridge, which although it is on Tlicho lands and so subject to the agreement, quite rightfully does have a tremendous impact and benefit to the whole of the territory. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Monfwi.

Thank you. Yes, I know that with -- it would be nice if there was a Tlicho region. All the projects that they're going to be working on within this coming -- upcoming fiscal year identified, it would have been great because I think -- I know that my -- the people in my region, they would like to know. And there's a lot of -- we have a lot of people there with their own business that they would -- you know, if they were aware of some of these things, I think they would plan better because all we see in this budget is a small project, not large projects. And there's no other -- they don't identify what is being -- what is under the small project and large project, and there's no estimate. There's no numbers beside it at the budget. So that's why I ask because if we had that, it would have been great. And even, like -- like she just said, the $36 million, like, I would like to know what kind of project is that that's going into Tlicho region. You know, is it the school? Is it the health centre? You know, all our -- there's -- we have a lot of aging infrastructure in our communities, water pipe in Edzo. So it would have been -- it would be good if those were identified so then that people, they know. So that's all I wanted to ask. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will send a consolidation of the list of projects to the Member for Monfwi. I mean, part of the challenge, of course, is, for example, that there's, you know, a Housing NWT project that is taking place in the Monfwi region. There is, you know, runway and apron overlays at one of the airports. That's under infrastructure. There's the North Arm Park. That is under ITI. So each and every one of these projects is listed in the capital estimates with its budget and the location but because they're in the different departments, we organize by department, so you're seeing them in each department. But, again, Department of Finance can put together a list here, and I can send it to the Member so she can see them and then would have that cross-referenced ability.

My understanding under the Tlicho Infrastructure Cooperation Agreement is that the Tlicho government themselves do take a leading role in communicating and identifying contractors in those communities. Again, I may -- I may be overstating that. I don't mean to put them on the spot, but I think this is a part of the understanding is that they are the lead on their lands. So and then in addition to that, Madam Chair, there are contracting seminars that are run fairly regularly for contractors and the dashboard that we have for all of the details of what's coming up. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Are there any further questions? Member for Monfwi.