Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions today for the Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs.

So in meeting with Yellowknife shelter operators and local business owners and business advocates, a need was identified for a published list or a resource listing all the different shelter options available in Yellowknife, but specifically identifying hours of operation and where someone can go if they're intoxicated or not intoxicated, man, woman, you know, different age groups, so that if someone encounters someone who is struggling on the street or that's coming into a local business, they have an easy resource showing where that person might be able to go, you know, someone who fits into their situation and what is actually available to them. Can the Minister explain whether such a resource is already available? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have that level of detail on hand. I apologize to the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister happen to know whether any gaps have been identified in terms of there are certain times of the day or night when someone who, you know, man or woman, who may be sober or intoxicated might not have anywhere to go; has that challenge been examined or identified by the department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned yesterday in the House, the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs is working with NGO partners in Yellowknife. There's a meeting coming up in early March, another one in early April, and so that's the forum often where those types of discussions would happen, and those types of gaps would be identified. There's been a number of conversations over the past many months since last summer between the government and NGOs, and so I'm confident that the department is aware of those gaps. I don't have a list on hand, and I can't point to an itemized list for the Member but given the relationship that has been developing with the NGOs I'm confident that there is an awareness of that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the fact that there's people often working in silos, each doing their own separate effort, would the Minister commit to producing such a sort of easy to use resource not just to be able to give out to shelter operators, but to distribute amongst Yellowknife businesses who are really asking for this resource? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's a -- I'm happy to look into this and see what we can do. It makes sense to have that information available. You know, even for MLAs, we often get inquiries from constituents and we need that type of information at hand, whether you're a Yellowknife MLA or you know some folks who wound up here and might need that information. So I will look into it and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for the admonishment; I will not grandstand in my questions anymore.

Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance. As she knows, and from my previous line of questions, there have been changes to the CRA posting publicly the information around the lowest return airfare. Can she confirm as to whether or not her department is sharing that information widely with residents to make them aware of this change and to be able to access that information? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's always a bit of hesitancy to be seen to be giving or suggesting how people should go about their taxes, but I take that point and I certainly commit to go back to the department and make sure that we are sharing what we can about where to access more information, what to do if people are uncertain about where to go with questions around CRA and to use their calculating -- calculators. So, again, I'll go back and make sure that our comms folks are active in this space and we're doing what we can to help educate residents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that. I think that would go a long way for folks to understand the new lay of the land.

There is an outstanding issue that I am not aware of the answer to yet, but it was raised in this House in the 19th Assembly, which is northern residents tax deduction which is a related by separate issue. Can the Minister tell me if indexing of that residency amount has been raised since 2023? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe that it has, Mr. Speaker, but, again, this is where I do want to be cautious. I'll want to just confirm that I've got the right numbers and the right dates and will certainly by Monday have something on the table to the House just to confirm. It is an area where we do want residents to have accurate information and information that is, you know, certainly not seen as being advice from me or necessarily from the department. They should be seeking that from tax professionals. So to the extent that I can confirm that or provide access to those resources, I will have that tabled for Monday. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's a great privilege to have a question to the health Minister today, and we're going to talk about spectacles, Mr. Speaker. Maybe I'll put them on later.

Mr. Speaker, seniors who go and try to get their coverage are denied through Blue Cross if they have private insurance. Mr. Speaker, this issue's been brought to the department, but the department has said, sorry, we're not interested in talking to you because you provide health care. But, really, they're trying to ensure seniors get their benefit.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me what she can do to help deal or wade -- help us wade through this quagmire of coverage. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as I talk, my spectacles get fogged up because of the mask, so. So just with extended health benefits, if somebody else has other coverage they may be qualified, you know, through work or some other benefit. The extended health benefit is the payer of last resort. That is the policy. Therefore, residents have to claim through their first -- the first plan, and then if it's not all covered, then Alberta Blue Cross will pick up the difference up to the eligible amount. And if this is not happening, then we need to discuss this with Alberta Blue Cross because the policy isn't being administered properly. And so I thank Minister, if this is not what's happening, to inform us of this discrepancy. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's the best answer I've heard out of Cabinet this whole session, Mr. Speaker. And I want to acknowledge that.

Mr. Speaker, the only other question, assuming it goes well, is that can I have the Minister agree that she'll investigate this and report this back to me or the House by -- well, say, can we get an update or some sort before the May session? Because I suspect the next two weeks is too soon. But if she can commit to do a public clarification as to what isn't being done but what will be done and etcetera, she understands. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, and I would also like the Member if he wishes to bring the certain instance directly to my attention at my office so we can deal with that resident immediately. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Oral questions. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for WSCC.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Plain Language Summary for Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act; and, Statement of Consistency for Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister responsible for WSCC. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Minister responsible for WSCC.