Well, certainly, no program from the GNWT launches itself. There's always a concerted effort behind it, Madam Chair. It was end of day back in January when we learned of our -- a drastic cut to our allocation numbers of the nominee program from the federal government. Unfortunately for the deputy minister, he's been very gracious in giving me his contact numbers, so I was immediately on the phone with him. I asked for the program to be immediately paused. That was a political decision. I did not feel that we could in good faith launch a program within 12 hours that it's so drastically changed. Following that, I asked for officials to meet with CDETNO and the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce as well as the NWT Chamber of Commerce. Given the feedback and perspectives received there, we were then able to redesign the program, keeping in mind our new allocation of nominee program candidates or allotments. And then from there, we made a -- I made a commitment on the floor of the House to Members here and to residents that they would have time with the new parameters of the program before we relaunched it. So that is what we have given to people as of Friday, and the program will relaunch this week. It will be open for one week in order to give people an opportunity to get their applications in. I did feel that it was important that we give people that time because as we know, technology sometimes doesn't always work the way we want it to. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Caitlin Cleveland on Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 25th, 2025. See this statement in context.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 25th, 2025
See context to find out what was said next.