Thank you. I'll go back to the director.

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

Yeah, then, you know, in small communities we have lots of aging infrastructures, even in Behchoko. In Edzo, we have waterline issues while I was still there, when I was part of the community government council, and it was over -- estimated it was over $10 million to replace the waterline. And then we have lots of other infrastructures that are aging, like due to wear and tear and climate change. And I'm sure there were other community governments, they might have highlighted that. So that's why I'm asking why, you know. So with that in mind, I just want to ask the Minister of how much of that is being spent in Tlicho region. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, first, Mr. Chair, with respect to what this is funding, it is specific to GNWT assets and GNWT infrastructure, so that wouldn't necessarily extend to infrastructure that is specific to a community, a community government infrastructure, or anything owned by an Indigenous government for example. It would really only be infrastructure or for GNWT owned.

A breakdown. I know I have provided with respect when we do the capital planning, we do provide some breakdown by region, including by Tlicho region, but I don't have that here to identify how much of these facilities specifically are within the Tlicho region. I think we may be able to get that. I'll certainly make a best effort, and if I can I will then provide it to the Member. Thank you.

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

Yes. And then -- okay, to regional projects as well, there is an increase from 2023-2024 too. So the Minister can explain what those projects are in the regions, like even for example, start with Tlicho region. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With respect to the regional projects, Mr. Chair, these are -- the changes that you're seeing to the 2025-2026 Main Estimates in particular is simply with respect to adjustments due to the collective agreement. There's -- yeah, that's for 20 -- between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, the increases is due exclusively to collective agreement changes. Thank you.

Oh, and sorry, and again with respect to the staff employed in the Tlicho region, Mr. Chair, under regional operations we have nine full-time equivalent staff in the Tlicho region. Thank you.

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

Okay, thank you. Yeah, that's it for this section. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My questions are related to highway operations. We see an increase from 2023-2024 actuals of $107 million to $109 million. How much of this is geared toward the upgrade or maintenance of the Dempster Highway between, let's say, Tsiigehtchic and Inuvik? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we -- I mean, the money -- I'd have to take that away in order to ensure that I'm breaking it down by the right dollar values. I'm not sure if anyone would have that available here. The change -- sorry, let me start by actually answering the question.

The change in budget, again, is related to the change in the collective agreement. So it's increased through forced growth because the collective agreement went up and, predominantly, that is the main source of change here. And then I'd be more than happy to provide the specifics of -- and sorry, I'm trying to find it as I'm speaking, but I don't know that that's the most efficient way to do this. So let me make sure that I can provide a breakdown of what we have in our budget year over year for that particular highway -- stretch of highway. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. I'll go to the Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Carrying on with highway operations, in the fall of 2024 they didn't have much time or they did not complete the upgrade or maintenance of the highway section between Rengleng River and Inuvik. But specifically talking about Rengleng River where there's that danger zone there, was there a carryover from last year's -- fall of last year to this year's estimates to -- so that work can be conducted this year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, there is, indeed, now some money there that is available for this stretch of highway. There's -- tender packages are being prepared to be ready in time to be out for this construction season and we -- there's about $18 million in total for this entire stretch of highway between now and 2027 and 2028. So it's over a course of a number of years that this -- that really from the border through on the entire stretch of the highway. So as far as breaking it down beyond that, I -- again, I would perhaps want to just ensure that we are doing so in a way that, you know, aligns up with the timing of the contracts and doesn't interfere with the procurement process. But, again, we do, at this point, have an expectation that we'll be going out in time for this construction season to start to see some of that money flow out the door. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll go to the Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Going on to winter roads, I see I notice increase from 2023 to 2024 actuals to 2025-2026 Main Estimates. In my region, we have one winter road that goes from Inuvik to Aklavik, and the access roads from Tsiigehtchic and the Peel River Crossing, has there been some -- due to climate change and, you know, the opening of the roads at a later date and closing earlier, has there been any reference to this in the increase in the budget to the actuals for the main estimates? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, at this point, these -- the changes in the winter road budget at this point in time related to the Mackenzie Valley winter road stretch and the Tlicho winter roads. In no small part, the Tlicho winter road, for example, that contract was for three years and came due for its renewal. And so with that, that new process of contractual review and engagement, that would then lead to the change here. There is, if I'm not mistaken, a contract in place right now for the winter roads within the Beaufort Delta regions, broadly, so when that does come up, it may well be, and frankly almost certainly seems to be, that when that contract comes due that we would then have to look at whether or not there needs to be a change. And, you know, again, not wanting to presume the conclusion or encourage, but the fact of the climate change impacts is making it more difficult for contractors to provide those services and that then does impact the contract that we come forward with which you then would see for next year. I believe that contract will be up by next year, so you -- if there's going to be a change, it will show up on the 2026-2027 operations budget. Thank you.