Thank you very much for the opening prayer. Ministers' statements. Minister of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, last year the Department of Justice committed to swiftly introducing public safety legislation that would help residents in the Northwest Territories feel safe in their communities. Today, I am pleased to provide an update about how we have delivered on the 20th Assembly's priority to make residents and communities safer.

We committed to developing three public safety bills and to ensuring that the Trespass to Property Act, Civil Forfeiture Act, and Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, respond to concerns raised by residents. The introduction of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act this session will mark the introduction of the last of the three public safety bills that the Government of the Northwest Territories committed to developing during this Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, over the last several months I have visited communities across the territory and repeated my commitment to strengthening public safety laws so local enforcement have the tools they need to shut down drug houses and deter crime.

Residents from across the Northwest Territories have consistently highlighted that they know where drug trafficking and other illegal activities are happening in their neighbourhoods, but they do not know how to provide this information to authorities so they can take action.

Mr. Speaker, the RCMP continues to do good work to keep our communities safe but last year I asked the Department to develop and deliver legislation that would outline a complementary civil, complaints-based process to address properties where illegal activities, like drug dealing and trespassing, are occurring.

In the last sitting, we also introduced civil forfeiture legislation in this House because we need more tools to disrupt the flow of money linked to criminal activity. The purpose of civil forfeiture is three-fold:

• Prevent people engaged in unlawful activity from profiting off it;
• Reduce the likelihood that people will engage in crime; and
• Recover money gained from or instruments used to commit crime.

Mr. Speaker, I want crime to be unprofitable in this territory. Following successful forfeiture proceedings, the GNWT may receive refunds for costs incurred during the proceedings, compensate eligible victims, and support initiatives or institutions that make communities safer.

The Trespass to Property Act, which received assent in this House on March 6, 2026, makes it illegal to trespass on private property and sets penalties for anyone who does. It outlines how people should be notified to stay off certain lands and when law enforcement can make an arrest. If landowners or occupants suffer losses in certain situations, the Act simplifies the process of recovering money.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that legislation and enforcement alone cannot address the root causes of crime, which we know include other challenges like low income, addictions, lack of housing, mental health problems, and the legacy of residential schools. These root causes require long-term and collaborative trauma-informed solutions. While the GNWT continues to make progress on those solutions, we need action now to help address the rising drug-related deaths and crime linked to the drug trade.

Mr. Speaker, our public safety legislation, and especially these three bills that we have developed, will help enable the Department of Justice to act through civil processes, providing more avenues to disrupt harmful and unlawful activity. We need more ways for the territory to step in when illegal activities harm residents or make them feel unsafe.

There is no one answer. Drug use and crime are complex issues, requiring a range of programs and services coordinated across all levels of government to solve. However, public safety legislation is a key tool we have right now that we know will make our communities safer. That is why this has been a priority for me as Minister of Justice, and this is why I am pleased to report that the GNWT has now successfully delivered on our commitment to bring these three bills forward within a year, providing a suite of public safety legislation that supports safe communities for Northerners. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Ministers' statements. Minister of ECE.

[Translation] insert* [Translation Ends]. But meeting that commitment has become more challenging. Over the last decade student needs have become more complex, and schools have faced growing pressure to provide the right supports. Families have shared their experiences of waiting months for assessments, of not knowing where to turn for help, and of children who are eager to learn but lack the supports they need to succeed. Educators and classroom assistants have spoken about the strain of doing everything they can while limited time, tools, and resources.

Growing federal funding through Jordan's Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative helped ease pressure and fill important gaps. Last year's changes and drastic reduction to those federal supports created uncertainty for students and families, pressure on educators and support staff, and instability across our education system.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, our government completed its review of inclusive schooling, drawing on feedback from students, families, educators, Indigenous governments, and education bodies. That review resulted in 11 recommendations, and our government accepted all 11. We are now moving forward with a phased implementation plan over the next two years to strengthen inclusive education in the Northwest Territories guided directly by what people told us they need.

The first step in that plan is stability. With the support of Members in this House, the government committed at least $30 million in new funding for inclusive education. This doubles the territory's investment in inclusive schooling. More importantly, it means more consistent supports for students in the classroom, fewer disruptions to their learning, and greater certainty for families who depend on these services every day.

This investment will be felt directly in schools with the majority of funding flowing with flexibility directly to education bodies where decisions are made closer to students and communities. It will help maintain key school-based positions, improve access to therapeutic and rehabilitative services such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and counselling, and support the use of assistive technologies. For students this means more continuity; for families, it means fewer gaps; and, for educators, it means stronger support in meeting student needs.

Mr. Speaker, the second priority is helping children get support earlier. A portion of this new investment will support early childhood screening, with the first steps starting this fall and full implementation planned for the 2027-2028 school year. Because when we identify needs earlier, children get help before they fall behind, teachers can respond sooner, and families spend less time searching for answers.

A critical part of classroom support is the hard-working classroom assistants. Through community visits as both a Regular Member and a Minister, I have heard directly from teachers, administrators, and classroom assistants who want a stronger toolbox to support students. They are deeply committed to the children in their care, and they want to do even more. In response, a portion of this funding will support additional training so support assistants have the skills and confidence they need to work alongside teachers in helping every student succeed.

A third priority is making the system easier for families and educators to understand and navigate. Families have told us the system can be difficult to follow. They should not have to struggle to understand what supports exist or how to access them.

Starting this fall, they will see clearer, plain-language information about the supports available, who is responsible for what, and how students move through the system. We are also working with our health partners to make referrals and follow-up simpler and more coordinated so families can focus on their child rather than the process.

Finally Mr. Speaker, we must improve access to rehabilitative and therapeutic services, which remains a serious concern. Limited access to these services means some students go without the support they need to fully participate in school. This is not acceptable, and it is something we are committed to improving.

Over the next two years, the government will work to improve access and better coordinate services between education and health, including a new school-based rehabilitation service model planned for the 2027-2028 school year.

These are practical steps to strengthen inclusive education and give students, families, and schools more stability and support. This work will take time, and it will require continued partnership with families, education bodies, Indigenous governments, and communities. We will continue to listen, learn, and adapt as we move forward.

At its core, this work is about children - their confidence, their potential, and their future. It advances the 20th Assembly's vision of healthy people and communities by helping to build a North where every child has the support they need to succeed in school, in work, and in life.

I want to thank the families, educators, and Indigenous governments and residents of the Northwest Territories who shared their experiences and voices to guide this work. Together, we are building a stronger North where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Ministers' Statements. Minister responsible for WSCC.

Mr. Speaker, workers' rights are the cornerstone of safe and healthy workplaces. Across Canada, workers have three fundamental rights:

• The right to know how to do their job safely;
• The right to participate in making their workplace safer; and, of course,
• The right to refuse any work that feels unsafe.

These rights are important because they empower workers to speak up, ask questions, and take an active role in preventing injuries and illnesses. Strong workplace safety depends on employers and workers working together to normalize daily conversations about safety, identifying hazards, share concerns, and build a culture where everybody understands their role in creating a safer workplaces.

Earlier, from May 4 to 9th, was Safety and Health Week and it provide an important opportunity to raise awareness about injury prevention and the responsibility we all share for workplace safety. As part of this effort, WSCC's Work Safely: It's Everybody's Job campaign helped bring the message of workers' rights to communities across the North.

The campaign features materials created by northern artists that depicts recognizable northern workplace scenarios and how these rights are put into practice. Campaign materials are available in the 11 official languages of the Northwest Territories. More than 500 employers received digital or printed resources to support discussions and awareness activities related to workplace safety and health.

While Safety and Health Week provides an important focal point, the conversation about workers' rights continue throughout the year. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister responsible for WSCC. Ministers' Statements. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes will be absent from the House today for a personal matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Ministers' Statements. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife North.

Mr. Speaker, the latest research on children and teen health shows that the greatest dangers to children do not lie out there in the real world. It's inside, the thing that they keep close by them 24/7, the cell phone that connects and addicts them to the virtual world. We think we're making children safer by giving them cell phones. We can track them, we can text and call them any time. We forget that children are much more likely to be taken advantage of by criminals or predators in the online world rather than the communities they live in.

When the smartphone became available 15 years ago, youth started being online and on social media for hours a day, for some almost constantly. Kids are not able to learn self-control since research shows this is rewiring their brains during their most vulnerable stages of brain development. They become physically addicted to their phones. There's been a huge rise in attention disorders, major depressive episodes in teens, emergency room visits for self-harm, and antisocial or violent outbursts.

Now, kids may believe that having a smartphone and a social media account is the only way to have friends, and parents of course want to help them fit in, but online conversations block development of the real social skills kids need to thrive. It leaves them vulnerable to cyberbullying with no escape. Many even believe that ChatGPT is their truest friend because it tells them what they want to hear.

Jonathan Haidt is the author of The Anxious Generation, How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. One of his recommendations is phone-free schools, including high school. Many schools in the NWT have cell phone policies of some kind by now, but these need to be consistent across schools, strict and enforceable. We can't just forbid phone use during class time, and we can't expect teachers to be full-time phone police. They're already stretched to their limits, and it's unproductive and sometimes dangerous for them to be wrestling phones out of kids' hands every day.

So a thought to leave you with, the elite private schools where tech CEOs send their own children often prohibit all personal digital devices, including phones and tablets. They know the products they make are harmful to youth so it's time we protect our children, too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to send birthday greetings out to two influential ladies in my life.

First of all, I would like to send a special happy 9th birthday greetings out to my granddaughter Shamron Kila for May 30th. Shamron is growing into a nice young lady and is enjoying life in Aklavik. Happy birthday, my girl, and I hope that you enjoy your trip to Edmonton and I will see you once you return.

Mr. Speaker, my Auntie Mary Eppie Snowshoe turned 88 years young on May 29th, 2026. My Auntie Mary Eppie is still active within the community, the region, and the territory, sharing her traditional knowledge. She continues to help out in the community whenever she is asked to share her expertise. My Auntie Mary is not slowing down, and you can see her walking at a fast pace on a daily basis. Happy birthday, Auntie, and I wish you many more productive years ahead.

I would like to ask all Members to join me in wishing these two remarkable ladies a happy belated birthday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, uncertainty is the enemy of secured growth and benefits. When communities and businesses cannot clearly see the path to participation, even the most promising infrastructure projects remain just that, promises on paper.

Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley Highway represents transformational opportunity for the Sahtu and the entire Northwest Territories. A major project boost or an economic tsunami is upon us.

Mr. Speaker, 70 percent of the MVH right-of-way will pass through the Sahtu. The total budget, estimated at $4.2 billion, potentially, will pass alongside three small communities within walking distance. But without access to capital, is opportunity denied? Today, I want to speak specifically about the Mackenzie Valley Highway readiness and it is -- and it relates to the venture capital grants, contribution, loans, and guarantees for stakeholders.

Mr. Speaker, our businesses want to participate, our community corporations want to build capacity, our entrepreneurs are ready to invest, but they need certainty and information. They need transparent access to financing options that will allow them to scale up higher locally and to position themselves as a competitive partner or partners in the nation building project. But readiness cannot be abstract concept. Readiness means our local contractors know where to access bridge financing. Readiness means our Sahtu businesses understand the application process for federal and territorial grants. Readiness means clear timelines, guidelines, transparent criteria, and dedicated support to navigate capital access.

The Mackenzie Valley Highway will only deliver on its promises if we eliminate the uncertainty that prevents local stakeholders from seizing the opportunity it creates. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, strategic potential must translate into tangible community benefits, jobs, contracts, and long-term economic growth rooted in the region. Mr. Speaker, that transformation begins with financial clarity. It begins with removing uncertainty, and it begins with ensuring our people have tools, information, and access they need to participate fully in this coming future. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, whenever we gather in this House, I raise the cost of living pressures facing my constituents. They are looking to this Assembly for action and for my people in Lutselk'e, that means a serious examination of winter road access between their community and Yellowknife. Yet year after year, their voices are ignored. This call to action has only become more urgent. Costs continue to rise as tariffs and fuel prices hit our small communities the hardest. And by leaving practical options for relief on the table, this government effectively telling my constituents they must continue to bear the brunt of the affordability crisis regardless how severe it becomes. And Lutselk'e, Mr. Speaker, receives fuel twice a year and the community of Lutselk'e will pay the high price for the one year.

But this is no longer just a cost of living issue. Across Canada, governments are focused on supply chain resilience, economic security, and Arctic sovereignty. Yet, the lack of interest in connecting Lutselk'e to our northern transportation network shows these priorities are not applied consistently, leaving my communities on the outside this nation building agenda despite our land and resources being positioned as the foundation of Canada's future growth.

Lutselk'e is the gateway to Thaidene National Park, one of Canada's most significant protected areas. Improved winter road access would reduce supply chains, lower costs, and help the community capture economic opportunity in guiding, outfitting, cultural tourism, and local business. An interest in the eastern region of Great Slave Lake grows, including documented mineral potential. There is a need for early structure planning so that we are proactive rather than reactive. Early stage of study would work, ensure that the community can assess and engage with future opportunities on its own terms with proper information from the onset. This is the kind of nation building infrastructure that should be prioritized across the North, especially now that affordability has been recognized as central to prosperity, security. Yet, the Minister, I brought this forward, and it was refused to do the study and then the absence of evidence and reasons for this inaction, all the while the costs of living prices worsen in my community. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Members. Thank you, colleagues. This is why I am calling on the government to meet with the chief and council of Lutselk'e to talk about the potential commitment to do a PE feasibility study for the winter road to Lutselk'e in the fall business planning session. I ask the Minister -- I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from the Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week, I recognized the Youth Parliament MLA for the Deh Cho who spoke about the cost of living. When a young person comes into this House and speaks about families in her community struggling to put food on the table, it should set off alarm bells. Children and youth should not have to worry about adult problems but in too many homes, they do. They hear the conversations at the table, they see the stress when bills come in and groceries have to be stretched as far as they can go.

Mr. Speaker, the most recent data shows that 33.4 percent of Deh Cho households were worried about not having enough money for food. That was before the latest pressures from the global economy. Fuel is part of that pressure. In the Deh Cho, gas and home heating fuels are not luxuries. They are basic costs of living. People need fuel to get to work and keep their homes warm in the winter.

Government cannot sit back while parents are stretched to the breaking point and children are growing up around that stress. Fuel relief should be on the tables, including reducing or suspending the NWT gas tax.

Mr. Speaker, people need to see a government that understands the urgency and is willing to act, not another explanation of why prices are rising or why global forces are outside our control. When one in three households are worried about having enough money for food, that is not normal. That is not acceptable. And when children are noticing it, the situation is severe. I will have questions for the Minister of Finance at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the 29 graduates of East Three Secondary School in Inuvik, another very successful year. Some of these graduates will be coming out of there bilingual, Mr. Speaker, which, unfortunately, as I've stated in my Member's statements earlier on, may not be the case next year unless, of course, our government acts on that and corrects the French immersion situation in Inuvik.

Having said that, I am very proud of these individuals. I know most of these kids myself, and I am happy to read their names out today. And I apologize, I will do my best to ensure I do it correctly. So without further adieu:

• Ahmed Altaher
• Alex Binder
• Dimitri Blythe
• C.J. Bonnetplume
• Alvin Christian
• Jesabell Day
• Descartes Dulay
• Isabelle Esau
• Maribella Gingras
• Whitney Kasook
• Jonathan Kunnizzie
• Jaxon Brodhagen
• Winnie Lennie
• Nathalie Lindsay
• Paige Loreen
• Madden MaNeil
• Gabrielle McLeod
• Tye Ovayuak
• Kailene Peterson
• Fox Reardon
• Kelleigh Ruben
• Bernadette Rusit
• Hilary Savoie
• Deeandra Smith-Benoit
• Brooke Smith
• Angelina Wainman
• Kalena Wainman
• Reese Wainman, and
• Owen Whynot

Congratulations to all the graduates this year from the East Three Secondary School in Inuvik. We're proud of you, and good luck. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on March 3rd of the last sitting, I raised concerns about the fact that over the past several assemblies, legislative timelines have gotten longer and longer, citing a number of examples I won't repeat again today. One factor was common among the examples I cited. They were all legislation subject to co-drafting at the Intergovernmental Council table under the legislative development protocol. Considering the significant role the intergovernmental agreement is playing in development of much of our significant legislation, you would think this would be a process which receives a fair amount of public scrutiny and input; however, the opposite is true. The legislation in question is often of significant interest to the public and Assembly, but the process happens behind closed doors without accountability to the public or the Assembly for extensive timelines which are hampering our government from bringing forward important changes being requested by various stakeholders, including in some cases, Indigenous governments themselves. For these reasons, I and my colleagues asked a number of questions of the Premier in the last sitting about the seven-year review of the intergovernmental agreement. In response, the Premier tabled the RFP for the seven-year review, and I am disappointed to note no public input, or even input of MLAs, is included in the RFP. The Premier's follow-up response to my oral question does state that MLA input will be sought and given to the internal committee considering the contractor's report, but not by the contractor producing the report. I also note that the concern I have raised about process timelines is not explicitly included in the terms of reference for the contract.

Mr. Speaker, I have several concerns about the terms of reference as written.

First is that if MLA input is considered beside the report as opposed to contributing to its contents, it is much less likely to have influence over outcomes.

Secondly, in talking to different people involved in the IGC process, it has been pointed out to me that there is potential for significant change to how it works. It could, for example, be stood up as an independent institution and properly funded to ensure timeliness of legislative development. It could receive more public scrutiny or even be subject to timelines, just as the committees of the legislature are. I do not see potential for this kind of significant change in the RFP as drafted and, therefore, Mr. Speaker, I am concerned. I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was a beautiful weekend here in Yellowknife, and I am sure across the whole Northwest Territories. I'd like to point out that today is the first day of June. The long winter is behind us and when the snow melts and the landscape starts to turn a lush green, we don't just notice summer in the North, we cherish it. And with that shift in season comes a shift in all of us, a shift towards community, towards the outdoors, and towards the events that bring our communities together to enjoy in the warm weather. And what is summer without the greatest of all northern events?

Of course, I am speaking about the return of Folk on the Rocks, which will take place July 17th to 19th at the Folk on the Rocks site along Highway No. 3. Folk on the Rocks is one of the most unique music festivals in the country, an event set against the backdrop of our northern lakes and rocky shores under the long northern daylight where the sun carries through the still air and out across the community. And on those quiet nights when everything is still, you can hear the music and feel the energy in the neighbourhoods kilometres away.

We are all so proud of Folk on the Rocks because it showcases local northern talent alongside artists from across Canada and the entire world with a lineup that reflects both our community and our connections to the wider world, bringing together Indigenous artists, emerging musicians, and well-established performers on the same stage offering audiences a chance to experience music shaped by place, culture, and diversity. In that way, it's not just a festival. It's a shared cultural moment that could only exist here in the NWT, and it endures because it is a part of who we are as a people and reflects back at us the creative, inspiring, collective spirit of all of us.

I look forward to seeing many friends and guests from far and wide this summer as we celebrate music, community, and the spirit of the North. Hope to see you at Folk on the Rocks, Mr. Speaker. Happy summer to everyone. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, across all the Northwest Territories, families are watching their loved ones disappear into addictions. Too often, help comes too late. When families seek support, they are often pointed towards health centres or treatment applications. Treatment can save lives, but in a crisis timing matters. When someone is at a serious risk, family needs a pathway to intervene before the crisis becomes a tragedy.

Mr. Speaker, I was young once and I faced addiction personally. I am not ashamed to say that treatment was a big part of my recovery but I could not have made it to treatment alone. I had people around me who stepped in while I still had a choice, and I will always be grateful to those friends and colleagues. But not everyone is so fortunate, Mr. Speaker. When someone is overwhelmed by addiction, accepting help is not always a simple choice. That does not mean they are a lost cause. It means the response must match the seriousness of the crisis.

Mr. Speaker, in 2024 the NWT coroner's office reported 12 drug-related deaths. For a territory of our size, that is unacceptable. Our response needs to be stronger. Other jurisdictions, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, have moved towards stronger intervention measures. As our understanding of addiction changes, the NWT strategy must change with it. We need a crisis response that can act immediately. We need safe withdrawal spaces for people who cannot manage that process at home. We need treatment to happen faster, and we need aftercare that does not end when someone leaves a facility.

Mr. Speaker, I know she is not here, but I will have questions for Minister of Health and Social Services at appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Similar to my colleague earlier today, I wanted to talk about the struggles some of the schools and school boards are managing with, which is the personal devices that some students have, Mr. Speaker. In today's learning environment, it helps for folks to have consistent learning but learning no matter what.

Mr. Speaker, the challenge really here is governments across the country are looking at these handheld personal devices in schools and trying to figure out how to limit and manage them, and some of them have even gone so far as banning them. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what the right decision is, but I will have a recommendation later in my Member's statement.

But the most obvious portion here is that -- or issue here we must have engaged learning that focuses for students to create that environment, and personal devices cause challenges. We could spend time in my statement talking about safety and bullying and harmful effects of these types of devices, including pathway changes it has on the young person's brain, but that's already been said and it's a fact that's been said by hundreds of people and experts in the world here, so I don't need to double down on what they've already found to be true.

Mr. Speaker, the important balance here is that we must also find balance by instead of coming with a restricted, heavy-handed risk policy, we must find ways to ensure that the young people do not resent and rebel. We are trying to look after their best interests over the long haul by fostering an environment of learning, not isolation, Mr. Speaker.

It's a complex issue, and I guarantee you there's no one size fits all, Mr. Speaker, so this is where I am thinking we have an opportunity. The Minister of education could consider an advisory panel to provide some ideas on how to approach this challenge. It's not just our challenge, it's also our young person's challenge, Mr. Speaker.

Personal devices are wonderful. They're fun, they're exciting. But the fact is, if it takes you away from learning, that is the question. So who could be on this advisory panel? Mr. Speaker, I can think of hundreds of former educators. They could be educator warriors who want to continue to give back to the system, who have retired, who've not only seen it all, but have been through it all, Mr. Speaker. They would have great advice to provide the Minister. And guess what? We could do something maybe school boards can't, take and shoulder the blame when the young people are upset that there's a crisis of no personal device in their hand.

Mr. Speaker, the important part is technology is changing and advancing at historic rates in ways that we may never be able to keep up with. But we must do our best. We must keep our young people interactive. I want to finish by pointing out something, Mr. Speaker.

Critical thinking, organic, and interactive learning should never be replaced by clever AI prompts, Mr. Speaker, because students lose the ability of critical thinking and formulating arguments.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I will table a draft motion here later today. We don't have time to debate it but hopefully this will create a conversation about the overall subject in the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements. Member from Hay River South.

Mr. Speaker, since our last session, it's been a busy time in Hay River, and I would like to highlight a few of our awesome events.

With the extended cold winter, the NWT Polar Pond tournament had excellent ice conditions in order for me to graciously glide across the ice. And once again, this event was a huge success. Funds that were raised are going back to the community and the recreation departments.

In April, the Hay River Parent Action Committee hosted an auction for education and community spirit awards. I would like to congratulate the following people:

• Tristan Sanquez - Youth Volunteer Award
• Tim Borchuk - Senior Volunteer Award
• Hay River Museum Society - Community Spirit Award
• Hay River Home Hardware - Good Business Award
• Russel & Spencer King - Rec Walk Hall of Fame Award
• And our citizen of the year Cheryl McMeekin.

Thanks to the Parent Action Committee for hosting such a successful event that raised over $25,000 for our schools.

On May 23rd, it was an honour to be the master of ceremonies at our RCMP regimental ball, guiding UNITE in the formal tradition, celebrating the dedication of our Members in Hay River and to the North. From the sharp look of the red surge and moving toasts and celebrating the hard work of our members, it was a privilege to be involved in such a great event and help create a memory of the celebration of their service.

This past weekend, I was able to go home and partake in the Hay River Annual Lobster Do. It's a good opportunity for everyone to go out after a long winter and enjoy some community spirit, serving over 450 people, money raised, or helping various organizations in the community.

And coming up this week, June 3rd to 5th, in Hay River, the NWT Track and Field Championship. Sadly, I am not participating because I am here. It is expected that more than 1100 athletes are going to attend this year, and I just want to wish best of luck to all the participants.

And once again, thanks to all the volunteers who make these events possible. This is what community spirit truly is. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Hay River South. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the month of June is, in large part across Turtle Island, in addition to Indigenous History Month, the Month of Pride. I have said that Pride is a protest and learning more about queer history is essential to understanding our fellow Northerners who are living their authentic life.

June 28th to July 3rd marks the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, which is the birthplace of the modern fight for queer liberation. Those riots were led by a trans woman, notably the black trans queen Marsha P. Johnson.

Today I'd like to share some words from Alok Vaid-Menon, a celebrated non-binary writer and performer: Quote, I am really informed by a thinker named Richard Rohr who says that we all have a true self and a false self, and the work of being alive is to revive the true self that we've had to submerge to please the people around us. When people see trans people, they're threatened because we're introducing a language on authenticity that holds up a mirror where they have to ask themselves, who would I be beyond what I've been told I should be? So the lie doesn't have to be conscious. It's a sense of self-betrayal, of having to mold yourself into the image of what other people want versus what you want. So much of what challenges people about transness is the clarity and precision of saying, you get to change your mind and you get to give birth to yourself. End quote.

Mr. Speaker, saying love is love is not enough if not paired with action and accountability. I am proud of this government and this Assembly for continuing positive progress in this regard. And, Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of us to celebrate our fellow Northerners living their authentic, proud, bold, and beautiful lives at Pride events across the territory this summer. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements.

Colleagues, today I'd like to celebrate the life of elder Yvonne Norwegian, a woman who carried love, strength, and traditional wisdom through the Deh Cho and beyond. Yvonne was born on October 13th, 1945, to William and Cecile Antoine.

Yvonne was a respected leader, a devoted mother, and a guiding light to countless children, families, and community members. Her presence was felt not only in Jean Marie River where she served as chief for six years but across the Deh Cho region with her strong belief in Treaty 11. As well, she worked for many years with the district education authority and the Deh Cho Divisional Education Council and territorial parks at Sambaa K'e and Fort Simpson with her husband Douglas.

Yvonne's life was rooted in care and service. She was a strong supporter of children and always made room for them in her heart, whether in her own home, in the community, or in the schools. She strongly believed in acceptance, forgiveness, and loving one another without condition, and she lived those values every day. With a heart that never turned anyone away, Yvonne was always there to help, whether in person or by phone, and she made herself available to anyone in need.

She was also a keeper of traditional knowledge and many people turned to her for advice, guidance, and wisdom words. From the very beginning of her time in Jean Marie River, community members relied on her not only for counsel but also for practical support, as a helper, letter writer, caregiver, and informal nurse to elders. She was a person people truly appreciated and her kindness touched lives in many ways that may never be fully counted.

Yvonne shared 62 years of life and partnership with her husband Douglas Sr. Norwegian, and their love and teamwork formed the foundation of a family that now included 11 children (names attached and deemed read), 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. She was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and beloved friend, and her loss leaves a deep and lasting emptiness in the hearts of those who knew her.

I had the pleasure of working with her over the past 34 years in her many roles. I can tell you she was a very strong person who would tell you exactly what she was thinking and feeling yet she was always respectful and willing to listen to others' opinions. I can also say that I truly appreciated our conversations as we worked through the issues together.

Unfortunately, on February 19, 2026, Yvonne passed away in Yellowknife with family members around her. On behalf of Yvonne's family, they sincerely thank everyone for your prayers, kind words, and support during this time of sorrow.

Her legacy lives on in the people she helped, the leaders she inspired, and the children she loved so deeply. I'd like to share some parting words from Yvonne: Work together, don't be negative, think positive, and life will be better.

Rest in peace, Yvonne. We will sadly miss you but you will not be forgotten.

Her Children: Janice Norwegian, Erma Norwegian (Gerald), Lisa Moses (David), Wanda Norwegian (Rufus), Melanie Menacho (Fred), Median Norwegian (John), Douglas Jr., Derrick Norwegian, Alisha Grossetete, Rhonda Grossetete, and Gerald Antoine.

Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Colleagues, I would like to recognize three people that I just finished doing the Member's statement on. Chief Melanie Norwegian Menacho, who is her daughter. Janice Norwegian is the oldest sister. And her husband, 90-year-young Douglas Sr. Norwegian, an amazing crib player. So watch out when he's playing crib with you. You're going to lose, so. Welcome to the Assembly. And I thank them very much. They drove in from Jean Marie yesterday and will be driving back on those great roads by infrastructure.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Hay River North.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize chief Norwegian Menacho. It's always great to have Indigenous leaders in the Assembly even under these circumstances. So welcome. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from the Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Douglas Norwegian, the late Yvonne's husband, and Melanie Norwegian, the chief from Jean Marie, as well as her sister Janice if she's here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to your chambers and I thank you very much for allowing us to have the honour of representing other people in Northwest Territories. I hope you enjoy the proceedings. It is always nice to see people in the gallery.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So my questions are for the Minister of education.

We now have over a decade of research showing the harms on children and youth from having a smartphone with them at all times, from an alarming rise in mental illnesses, anxiety and sleep deprivation, to struggles making meaningful friendships and disconnect from family members, to struggles paying attention and learning in school. So first, what is the education Minister doing to speed along the development in all NWT schools of phone-free school policies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have to thank the Member for pursuing this one for the length of the 20th Assembly. It's certainly a topic that we've been able to speak about a lot, and I really appreciate her advocacy. So to take immediate action, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on this one is implementing system-wide territorial guidelines. These are strong bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phones, and they're currently being reviewed by education bodies across the NWT to get their feedback to help directly shape these guidelines. These guidelines will be finalized over the summer and in place for the upcoming school year, and this will allow schools to implement strong local policies as early as September. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So that is certainly positive news.

My next question, though, is what powers does the Minister have, under the Education Act or related regulations, to actually enforce these guidelines or standards for phone-free schools in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, what the Member was alluding to there in her question is absolutely under the Education Act. These school-level policies are the responsibility of education bodies, and they don't fall under the responsibility of myself as Minister. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, we are using the tools that I do have in my toolbox to implement clear territorial expectations through those guidelines that are enforceable through policies that are aligned with the safe schools framework. Beyond that, Mr. Speaker, it would need to be an amendment to the safe school regulations to make sure that cell phone ban policies are put directly into those regulations for more teeth in the future. But understanding that we want something right away before that, we are taking right away the guideline approach. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And so can the Minister share any examples or success stories in the NWT of where phone-free school policies have already been implemented and enforced successfully that we can point to to show other communities or regions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely, we do have a great success story here in the Northwest Territories. I have to give credit where credit is due, and that would be to the Tlicho Community Services Agency who are just completing their second school year with a full ban-to-ban cell phone policy in their schools. They have seen tremendous results from it. They've seen more participation in classrooms, more participation on sports teams, less incidents in the hallways and after school. So I have to give credit to them, for sure, for implementing that. And other education bodies, including the N'dilo District Education Authority has also used that policy and implemented it into their school as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, speaking of youth and youth issues, AI use is a really pivotal -- it's at a pivotal place in the world but it's certainly of concern for young people, especially in the creative space. So it was a great shock to many people in the Northwest Territories when a document was produced by the department of industry -- for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment using art that was AI-generated instead of art that was produced locally. So that department's also in charge of supporting artists in the Northwest Territories.

Can the Minister explain why this contract was issued that allowed for AI art to take money away from northern artists who could have been used to produce these pictures in this document? Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Minister of ITI.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is right, we do have contributions that go out to different organizations that we work with and, unfortunately, one of the organizations that we work with and that we fund for an event for mining week, did use AI to generate art. I have, in turn, asked for a full communications plan for what intends to happen next year under that contract because certainly would like to see northern artists used. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am a proponent of AI in many cases but not in this case. My teenager always reminds me that this is not the way to use it. So will the Minister put in a directive now that any contributions that go out prohibit AI art when we could be sourcing local northern artists? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Member started their questions today, there were certainly -- AI is a quickly evolving space and so on first blush at that one, I would definitely want to make sure that we're always using northern artists especially if it is coming directly from the government, from industry, tourism and investment, and any other department for that matter. We have contribution agreements though that go out to residents themselves and are looking at different ways that they can use AI within their businesses, and so I would want to make sure that we are not having unintended consequences of a directive like that and would want to make sure that I am talking to industry to understand how they're using it to make sure that any kind of directive like that doesn't have those unintended consequences. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of ITI. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can -- instead of, then prohibiting it, can the Minister require that anyone receiving contribution disclose when AI is used to fulfill the art -- as a condition of that money? So if they're getting money and they're going to use AI, they have to disclose it to the public and to the department. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I love that idea and I will definitely take it up with the department because I think that where we're at right now, we want to make sure that we are embracing some uses of AI but definitely not replacing the good, fine work of northern Artists. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to pick up on what I thought was a couple gaps in some relatively decent answers from the Minister of ECE when she talked about the potential of guidelines for schools to manage the cell phone challenge. My problem is guidelines are just that. They're very difficult, if not fluid. My worry is that they need to be codified in some type of formal process. So what is the Minister doing to help codify these into actual rules as opposed to guidelines? And, again, this is about the control, banning, or exclusion due to certain circumstances of personal devices. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the guidelines are being set right now along with our education bodies. And so making sure that we're working together with our education partners is a great way to codify it because we're all getting there together. There's not a single person at the education leaders' table who does not align to the philosophy that cell phone usage in our classrooms is quite distracting. I also sit at the -- or sit with the NWTTA Education Leaders' Council, and this is something that is brought up routinely and that teachers are asking for as well. And so making sure that at the end of the day we're working together, and if we need to regulate it we have tools to do that as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's important to be clear. I need clarity on this one because I don't think the Minister of ECE can actually ban them system-wide, and that's -- if my concern is not correct, please correct the record. But that said, is that the issue right at the moment, is there is no authority under the Education Act to ban it, and if there are ways to ban it can the Minister make it very clear to this House by what mechanism and process could we move swiftly on that? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, the Member referenced moving swiftly and quickly in order to put something in place. And so having the guidelines that are agreed to by education bodies who are feeding into the process is definitely the way that we go about doing this as quickly as possible in time for the upcoming school year and to make sure that everybody has time to adjust their own policies where they need to. But within our decentralized system, I don't have the authority, the Member is right, to do that without regulation. So by making sure that we're working together within these guidelines is how we're going to get there quickly and how we're going to get there for the next school year. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I get the visual anecdote of that bobby chasing a person down the street in London saying stop or I will say stop again. I am worried about the cell phone ban following a similar guideline saying don't use it or I will say don't again.

Mr. Speaker, when can we expect the regulations to come forward and what type of what I'd say is outside expertise will she be involving to get that? In other words, the old education warriors that may have some great input on how something like this works, because if you can't enforce it don't bother. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, in our decentralized system, all of the education bodies have the ability to amend their own policies. We're working directly with them on those policies so that we can ensure that at the end of the day we have alignment. The guidelines provide some guardrails and parameters to what the expectation is.

And then as far as the Member's question about regulations, amending the regulations would then come after that. And, Mr. Speaker, I would have to see where this type of work would sit within the queue of our regulatory commitments that already exist in this term, that we need to make sure that I am working alongside all of my colleagues because we are all working hard to get in there and putting a lot of pressure on a very small team of legislative drafters this term.

But that said, Mr. Speaker, in regards to the -- the Member had a third question in there, which has escaped me. I am sorry, so I am very happy to come back. We're very happy to discuss the third question with him at break as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my question is to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, following up on my statement.

Mr. Speaker, in the coming days of our spring sitting, which will come to a close, planning ahead on our summer events I ask the Minister of ITI if she can support access to capital information session at a coordinated date in the Sahtu. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Minister of ITI.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I can definitely work with the department from both industry, tourism and investment, education, culture and employment, as well as seeing if we can work with some of our federal partners as well on a date for an event in Norman Wells. And certainly our regional staff are very knowledgeable about the programs that do exist and happy to help businesses in the Sahtu access those. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Minister for that reply of cooperation. It's very encouraging to move ahead and show our people that this government is behind capital availability.

I will be working with the federal Bank of Canada to help coordinate, and will the Minister exhaust all her programs and have the right personnel and staff and advisors to provide advice and options available on programs at this event there? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, absolutely, we have regional staff that can be there to answer questions and also support with completing applications. In addition to programming at ITI, which offers programs for example like SEED. I can also speak with the staff over at ProsperNWT because we have just increased the loan allowance limit up to $5 million specifically for projects that also have to do with strategic infrastructure. So I can also talk to the staff at Prosper to see when they intend to travel and see if we can coordinate with both ITI, ECE, and Prosper as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of ITI. Final supplementary. Member from the Sahtu.

Thanks, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Minister for that reply. As I mentioned, over the coming weeks here, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of making information available to the people I represent. Will the Minister also support my office to jointly send out invitations to the key principals of this project? To name a few, strategic infrastructure department, major projects office staff, defence investment agency. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am certainly always open to collaborate. I think that there is a lot going on in the territory right now and as the Member pointed out, a lot of implications for all of our departments. We certainly have a -- well, we have staff that are dedicated to readiness on this and also are currently working on some workforce development pieces as well, and so I think the more that we can coordinate, bring it all together, and have central access for information to people, the better we will be serving the public. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister of ITI. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Mr. Speaker, last week I tabled a policy paper from the University of Calgary that outlines it costs government more and arguably society to do nothing in the face of gender-based violence. That is, perpetrators who are overwhelmingly male get caught in the cycle of repeated violence that harms themselves, perpetuates trauma, and costs the system more. The 94 MMIWG Calls to Justice expressly ask governments to address the root causes of violence. So in alignment with that, the Call to Justice 14.12 that asks territorial governments to work with Correctional Services Canada to provide programming for men and boys that confronts and ends violence, would the Minister be willing to explore a similar model as outlined in this paper where police and social services coordinate to offer offenders rehabilitation-style programming proven in other jurisdictions to reduce recidivism? Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Minister, Status of Women.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. And thank you to the Member for the question. With the gender equity division, they are working with the Department of Justice on offering rehabilitation programming that addresses gender-based violence in the Northwest Territories. The national action plan to end gender-based violence funds programs including the partner program, the intimate partner violence treatment options court, and the justice administrator's funding for men's healing programs in the Northwest Territories. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls to Justice include addressing the root causes of crime, calling on a whole-of-government approach to address the root causes of crime. The wellness court, drug treatment option program, and intimate partner violence treatment option court, are alternatives to conventional courts that act as therapeutic interventions to address the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour to reduce reoffending and increase the use of restorative justice in the territorial court system. Community justice committees support the GNWT's commitment to safer communities by addressing minor offences early at the community level and in ways to reduce repeat offending. Continued investments in community justice reflect the GNWT's focus on prevention, accountability, and building community capacity to improve safety outcomes across the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if you even spend a brief amount of time looking at Stat NWT's spreadsheet of criminal incidents by violation, which is from 2010-2024, you'll see that many of the charges associated with gender-based and family violence such as sexual assault, assault, uttering threats, harassment, they spiked in 2019 and they haven't gone down since.

Does the Minister agree that we need to try new approaches to prevention based on the increase of these crimes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member, again. This is something that we're seeing across the board, the increase of violence, especially against women and children in the Northwest Territories. And this goes along with housing. This goes along with illegal activities in our communities. And we're seeing that spike, especially in our small and remote communities. The need across the North is help, help within the family, help within the community, and also help for them to reach out to get that treatment perhaps or perhaps counselling or perhaps effects of trauma. The chief in Behchoko just recently announced, like in their Tlicho Assembly, that we are a traumatized nation. And I agree with that. I totally agree with that. How do we combat the effects of trauma? That's something that we are facing as the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Final supplementary. Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for bringing up the whole of government response that is currently engaged with the GNWT. However, Mr. Speaker, what steps have been taken so far to unify the approach across government on Action 66, In their own strategy changing the relationship? The ones that focus most on prevention of committing violence, those committing violence from re-offending, beyond Action 78 and 79 in that same strategy. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Beyond Action 78 and 79, we are committed to supporting the Northwest Territories community and residents to achieve their wellness goals. This includes supporting communities and Indigenous governments through community wellness initiatives. Gender equity division has also developed a strategic framework for addressing family violence in the Northwest Territories, reclaiming the capable person. We are all capable persons when we have community.

The division is now working on an action plan that will be GNWT-planned with concrete actions that will support a whole-of-government approach to address family and gender-based violence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Oral questions. Member from Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Finance.

Can the Minister explain what immediate action this government is taking to reduce cost of living pressures on families and small communities. Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with respect to measures around affordability, there's -- unfortunately, the number of things that are causing affordability to be challenging, not only in the North but across Canada, are many and varied, Mr. Speaker. One of the biggest ones in the North continues to be energy costs. And, Mr. Speaker, in that regard, we have the territorial power support program that is just shy of $10 million, rate equalization for communities. Government payers pay higher rates than non-governments or residents and non-profits. That comes in at just around $7 million a year, Mr. Speaker. And of course we have one-time costs that we continue to pay so that when there are infrastructure investments into our energy systems to reduce our reliance on diesel, which is driving that current cost, that if the government pays for that, ratepayers are not, so to the tune here in this government of just shy of $50 million over five years to try to ensure that ratepayers aren't responsible for those costs, Mr. Speaker. Those are just some of the things in this space. We also continue to pay for the costs of home heating fuel and for clients who are on income assistance or in public housing. All of those costs, when they go up, Mr. Speaker, we do continue to cover them for folks who are most in need. Thank you.

Thank you. And thank you to the Minister for that answer. But I have to ask again, will the Minister commit to reviewing fuel relief options, including reducing or suspending the NWT gas tax? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this point in time we've not taken any steps to reduce or to change the gas tax. I can say that once when it was clear what was happening -- or certainly not clear what will necessarily happen with a war in Iran, but we certainly have been reviewing and keeping an eye on rising costs, what that's doing to not only affordability for residents and for businesses, but also on the ability of our government to continue to support residents. So, for instance, even just the utilities and housing hitting a new high at $32 million, those are all costs that we want to continue to bear. We want to continue to do it in a way that we're not ultimately taking on more debt and putting that on the backs of our future residents.

So, Mr. Speaker, absolutely, we'll continue to monitor, we'll continue to keep an eye on it, and happy to make that commitment, just not the -- no change at this point in time. Thank you.

Final supplementary. Member from Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to reviewing current affordability supports to determine whether they reflect the real cost of living in small communities, including the cost of gas and home heating fuel? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we absolutely will continue to make those types of analysis and reviews. Mr. Speaker, it's, you know -- it's very challenging times right now and while there's lots of good news on the horizon for the Northwest Territories, at this moment in time it's costly to move things around, it's costly for residents to move around, and it's costly to pay for electricity. So we will absolutely happy to commit that we'll make those considerations known. Obviously, for folks in public housing or on income assistance, the government swallows up the added costs. But for everybody else, the folks that are working poor, that is a much more complicated situation. So yes, Mr. Speaker, we'll continue to keep an eye on it. And as we do, you know, as we did in the Sahtu when there was a crisis when the fuel didn't get in. So in those situations, we certainly do step in and we keep an eye out for when those circumstances require. Thank you.

Oral questions. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some time ago I made a Member's statement on the chip-sealing prospects in Inuvik of having the bypass road chip-sealed. Obviously, Members -- my predecessors in the past have made those. I did, thankfully, get a commitment from the Minister of Infrastructure that we, indeed, are going to chip-seal the bypass road in Inuvik this year. I got that verbally in this House as well as I got it in writing, so I am very happy with that.

So my question for the Minister of Infrastructure is, has that contract been let since we are now -- as my colleague had said, it is June 1st, the season has started. And has that contract been awarded, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am happy to announce that the contract has been dealt with and work's underway. Looking to start it as soon as possible here, it looks like, and work's well underway to get that project done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank the Minister. So I understand some of the prep work is required to be done on that road as well, potentially some culvert work, some upgrading. So I am just, again, looking at a schedule. The contract's been awarded. Has the contract been awarded for all that work, Mr. Speaker?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. It looks like all the prepping work will be done hopefully by July and ready to be chip-sealed by August, around that time of August. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Final supplementary. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that and I know the residents of Inuvik certainly appreciate that and look forward to not having that dust. So just to be clear, then, so the completion date is the end of August this year, Mr. Speaker?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, this is a contract that's awarded. You know, ultimately, it's up to the contractor on the speed. Our goal is to have it done this summer and the department's been, you know, working actively with the contractor to have it completed by the end of August. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Oral questions. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in his responses to my previous questions on this matter, the Premier noted that the IGCS is not going to review itself; however, I note that the committee which developed the terms of reference for the review was internal to the IGC, and it appears the contractor will be exclusively engaging with parties to the agreement. So can the Premier help me understand how this doesn't constitute a primarily internal review? Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the IGC isn't reviewing itself. As an IGC member, I am not conducting a review. But the agreement states that the parties shall conduct a review of the agreement, and so it's the parties who are going to conduct a review of the agreement. And the agreement -- the purpose of the agreement is to formalize government-to-government relationships in the development of these pieces of legislation. So the review is reviewing the agreement, which is an internal document, or which is a document that really governs the internal workings of the Intergovernmental Council. So it's a bit of a roundabout explanation, but that is what is required by the agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I do appreciate that explanation however, as I've noted in my statement and as Members have noted during several areas of review, the intergovernmental agreement, of course, has a significant impact on the work of the Legislative Assembly and legislative timelines. So why was input of the public, and the Assembly in particular, into the seven-year review not included in the RFP issued on March 10th? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So it's a collaborative process coming up with everything at the Intergovernmental Council, including the RFP. The objective of the review is to look retroactively at the operations of functioning of the Intergovernmental Council and the secretariat. And so that's, again, very internal on how things are working, and also to look at the lessons learned. And so the RFP calls for the interviews of 10 leaders, so the 10 government signatories to the Intergovernmental Council. The Members of the Assembly here can provide their feedback to me either through writing, and a document review is also part of that. And so that feedback from the Members can be provided through that process. So there are ways for the Members to provide their feedback as a part of our system of government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I hear the Premier kind of heading towards something there, but I would note that MLAs have not been formally reached out to for input on this. It's not clear if standing committee input, which has been given in the form of reports in the past, is going to be considered. So can the Premier detail for the House how will MLA and public input be included in and contribute to findings of the report, not just to the internal committee? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So as part of the report, the contractor, like I said, will be interviewing the appropriate leadership of the Intergovernmental Council and reviewing documents provided by those governments. And so for the Members, I can receive their feedback and provide that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in February 15, 2024, I wrote a letter to the Premier outlining my priorities for my communities. And on February 23rd, the Premier wrote back and acknowledged my letter and asked me to reach out to the Minister. And I did. I stood up in this House asking the Ministers to come to my riding. And the Premier and the finance Minister made it to Fort Resolution that year.

Mr. Speaker, my question is will the Minister of Finance commit to meeting with Lutselk'e Dene First Nation Chief and Council, YKDFN Chief and Council, and DKFN Chief and Council on their capital infrastructure needs before the fall business planning process and to talk about the high cost of living issues and to talk about the pre-feasibility winter road study for Lutselk'e? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.