Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Monfwi.

(audio) talk about it too that we need more child care spaces. And I know that in Tlicho region, we do have a waitlist for child care services or child care space within the licensed daycare centres. And at this time, we don't have new daycare centres. We have daycare centres that are from houses that were retrofitted, you know, fixed up to the standard, but there's Gameti, there's Behchoko, Whati. I know there was one in Wekweeti too. But this all depends on the population. So in Gameti alone, they're using Tlicho government office building, and I know they've been asking for new daycare centre in that community, and Whati as well and Behchoko as well. So I'm just wondering if the Minister is working with the Tlicho government to build more daycare centres, you know, and improve daycare centres and rather than what we have right now. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, in the $10.6 million that was mentioned, that federal funding announcement, how those dollars are going to roll out, that plan is being worked on in conjunction with sector stakeholders as well as Indigenous governments and education bodies to make sure that we're all working together. I know that a lot of this comes down to us making sure that we're stacking funding together, that we're working together with additional funding mechanisms to bring it all together and make sure that we are doing what we can with the dollars we have to create more spaces. I'd also just like to take this opportunity to say that if the Member knows anybody in any of those communities that would like to open a -- you know, a family-run day home, that the department would absolutely be more than happy to speak with any of those people and let them know of the funding that is available to see that happen. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go to the Member from Monfwi.

I will let some people know, especially in the small communities. So hopefully from this $10.6 million, we'll get three new daycare centre in Tlicho region. I'm just, so -- or at least to one of the communities, you know, that really needs the child care services. But and you said -- so you don't know how this funding will be allocated. How is the department or -- allocating this one, is it based on need or -- for child care services?

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think what we've established today, by going all around the room, is that the need exists everywhere. This is not a channel that is shared only with Northwest Territories communities; it's also a challenge that's shared clear across the country. And so that's what this group is coming together to do -- with engagement, is to figure out, okay, how are we going to do this -- how are we going to see these dollars flow out the door. And the reality is as well not everybody is going to have shovel-ready projects available right away. So there is going to have to be for some entities some planning phases as part of this and definitely some stacking of funding. But the opportunity to work with Indigenous governments is really a beautiful opportunity. And this, I know, that even in the Member's region in the community of Behchoko, the Tlicho government put together a daycare facility that I know that the Member raves about and I've had the opportunity to speak with her about that offers complimentary child care services to community members. And so those kinds of relationships are really important. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go to the Member from Monfwi.

Yes, thank you. Yesterday we talked about the theme day was for income support and, you know, I know there are some parents, young parents, due to child care space available, you know, and the long waitlists, so one of the excuses that there's no child care, no reliable child care. So if this was -- you know, if we had more space, I think there would be more young people or young parents that can take advantage of this child care services provided and, you know, and go to work. But I know some of the excuses that no child care services available, dependable child care services. So it's good that, you know, the department is working with Indigenous governments and try to, you know, create more space and do something about it. So that's all. It's more of a comment. So thank you.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the interest of time, I'm not going to repeat the compelling arguments made by the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake but did just want to reiterate my support for what he was saying, and I just state for the record I would wholeheartedly support supplementary appropriation coming forward from the department to better fund this area because it's important to my riding also. And, yeah, just want the Minister to be aware that the support is there for it if she's able to bring something forward. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll take that as a comment. I'm going to go to the Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to get clarification. So you're talking about a need of $3.5 million for wages and $3.5 million for compensation benefits. Are we talking about top-ups for existing staff, or that money would be needed to hire new staff? Can you just explain what we're -- how you reached that number and -- yeah, thank you.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, that would be the difference between what is currently being provided and what would need to be provided to make it on par. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go to the Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So if I understand that correctly, that would mean, though, that we would need new infrastructure built along with that $7 million for new operating funding if we were to realize -- if we were to meet the need that you're talking about? So I understand the feds have just announced, you know, this funding for infrastructure but obviously that would need to be figured out and built, or can you clarify whether we have existing infrastructure that if we had the $7 million we could, you know, hire people and put those programs in place sooner? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it's definitely a twofold one where if we want to be able to pay people on par with education assistants, then we definitely need the additional funding. Part of the additional funding hope as well is that you would incentivize more people to enter into that sector and then, of course, we also do need the infrastructure funding as well to be able to pay for more spaces to be built.

And, Mr. Chair, through yourself, can I please pass as well to the deputy minister who would like to add something.

Thank you. I'll go to the deputy minister.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That at least helps clarify the situation a bit more in terms of starting to lay out a path in concrete terms of, you know, what's needed and how might we get there. I think it's probably more than just adding $7 million into this budget and saying, go, create all the spaces. There's some different steps required here that we need to order properly. But I am encouraged that we're at least talking numbers to be able to fill this gap and see a path forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.