Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my first questions are around the Mike Zubko air terminal building and -- sorry, the extension of Inuvik airport, the runway extension, we know that's being funded through the feds, through DND. It's been an amazing project thus far, and I look forward to that continuing.

My question is around the plan for the funding in this capital budget around paving, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister give an update on if, indeed, they do intend on paving the runway in 2026? Thank you.

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

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. So the planned work for 2026-2027 so there's a reduced budget for this project in 2026-2027, reflects the period of allowing the ground to be settled before any major paving is done. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'll go back to the Member from the Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And, certainly I appreciate that, and my assumption is, and we have engineering reports that say that it probably should settle. But, Mr. Chair, the reality likely is whether you pave it this year in 2027 or in 2030, there's still going to be a requirement on that runway, given it's been a reality for the past few years and certainly will be even more of a reality as we move forward, that there will be O and M money required going forward.

So I guess my question would be, has that been set in stone that we won't be paving this year? Has the department considered getting another opinion on that? And given that -- again, I appreciate that it has to settle. But, again, I think regardless of what year we do this, there will be requirements going forward, hopefully again committed by the federal government, to have O and M funding to continue to keep that runway maintained.

So I guess my question is, is this in stone, or are they considering looking at other options and possibly another opinion on that? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. So that's what's scheduled for this year, and that was the plan. Also, an airport garage will be constructed as part of the 2026-2027 budget. So this is all part of the work and then to get the paving in there afterwards. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Okay, thank you. I'll go to the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, and, again, and I appreciate that and the work that's being done up there. My only concern -- other concern, around that is, as you know, it's being done by a local contractor in partnership with the Indigenous government up there. And to do projects of this nature, obviously it requires staffing up, it requires training and, you know, given that it is a -- I understand the project has been reduced this year to allow that runway to settle, though there's always a fear that you lose some of that expertise and lose some of that workforce given that the project is on that bit of a delay. But I'll leave that issue at that, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to make that point.

The other comment I have is around -- I see there's a runway, taxiway, apron overlay in Ulukhaktok. I think that's great. But given conversations I've had, certainly with the manager of the regional airline there, I know every spring and fall, definitely fall time, the runway in Sachs Harbour does get soft. There's been several times when the aircraft going in there simply can't land. And as you know, Sachs Harbour relies solely on the local regional airline to provide goods and services and to get people in and out to medical appointments. And I'm wondering if the department has considered or had any look at also doing some work to that runway in Sachs Harbour as well, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I do understand that there is some concerns there, and I know it's been worked on with annual maintenance. And I think that's the plan currently right now is to continue with the annual maintenance for that area, or for that runway in Sachs Harbour. And we don't have anything scheduled as of yet. But, yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'll go back to the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, and I encourage -- it would be nice if we could actually get some data back from the department on how many times that runway has actually been shut down versus the one in Ulukhaktok, what I know will likely have the same issues; however, the runway in Sachs Harbour -- I mean, Sachs Harbour is a smaller community. It doesn't have jet service like the community of Ulukhaktok does. So if the Minister could commit to coming back with some detail on the number of times that runway in Sachs Harbour has been in -- I guess, in such a condition that smaller aircraft -- so the aircraft that go in there, which was a 1900, a Twin Otter, and a King Air, were not able to land on that runway. And then if so, Mr. Speaker, consider -- or Mr. Chair, apologies -- consider putting some resources towards ensuring that that community has a runway that's safe to land on all year round. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, notes taken. We'll try to get you information that you're wanting. But just from my memory and recollection of that, so depending on the time of year, you know, the spring thaw and stuff that, you know, the type of aircraft that can get in there. So if the 1900 can't get in, it sounds like a Twin Otter can. So it depends on the time of year. But we'll find out as much information for the Member so that we can get him that. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go back to Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you. And I appreciate that. And since the Minister brought it up, I will point out that the 1900 obviously has a larger capacity than the Twin Otter. As well, the Twin Otters don't run as much in the fall and wintertimes. They're typically used more for charter work than they are for passenger and cargo work. So that Twin Otter is not always available to get in there, and the 1900 is the preferred route to go in there and/or the King Air. And the King Air as well as the medivac aircraft, which is required to land in there. So that's another factor to consider on that runway. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Is there any further -- sorry? Okay, Thank you.

Are there any further questions? Seeing none.

The Department of Infrastructure, programs and services, infrastructure investment, $28,510,000. Does the committee agree?

Thank you, Members. Please return now to the Department of Infrastructure summary found on page 54. Are there any questions? No questions, Okay. I'm going to go to the Member -- thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Okay, thank you. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Consideration of Department of Infrastructure, 2026-2027 Capital Estimates is deferred.

---Carried

Thank you, committee. And thank you to the Minister. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses from the chambers.

Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 385-20(1), 2025-2026 Capital Estimates, Department of Environment and Climate Change. Does the Minister of Environment and Climate Change wish to bring witnesses into the chambers?