I mentioned that the East Three gardening program in Inuvik is doing some great work and they want to do some more innovative thinking in terms of how they’re going to grow veggies and create produce for lunch programs in Inuvik. I want to ask the Minister if he’s familiar with that program, have talks with the East Three staff and look at how they can support them so they can purchase these materials and continue to build on their national successes that’s been recognized so we can help them and support them in getting the materials that they need to continue with this program and the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Mr. Ronnie Campbell and thank him for all his hard work working with committee, especially for his guidance, his experience and knowledge in helping us guide and direct government into making some good decisions and making programs a lot better in the Northwest Territories.

I’d also like to recognize and acknowledge Mr. Brent Betsina. Good job. You’ve made the NWT proud during the Canada Winter Games. Good job. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Canadian Education Association’s 2014-2015 Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning recently honoured seven award-winning programs from across Canada that challenge and rethink our traditional concept of schooling. This year’s Ken Spencer Award winning programs tap into students’ passions which lead to increased motivation through meaningful, relevant learning. These models exhibit well-nurtured growth, creativity, flexibility and potential scalability to additional classrooms and schools. Their success relies upon trusting relationships built...

It’s possible that there might be limits on the amount of dollars that a small business can access. We all know that when you’re putting in infrastructure such as solar energy, that high cost of shipping materials up to, let’s say, the Beaufort-Delta region and then installing them, it does come at a very high cost, and with the amount of sunlight we get during the summer there’s a short window to get any kind of profit on that.

Would the Minister also look at a solar energy program, a program that promotes the use of solar energy technologies in the NWT and work with Arctic Energy Alliance to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’ll have questions for the Minister of Public Works and Services. Last week I had questions in the House about the Net Metering Program and some questions around energy. I know this department has taken over the responsibility for energy. I’d like to ask the Minister, in regards to supporting small businesses, I understand there’s a business support program within his department and I want to ask the Minister, when was that program last reviewed in terms of supporting businesses in the Northwest Territories?

Under this program, this program is designed to help...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, 2015 was a great start for many people in the Beaufort-Delta region, particularly those in the area of sport and recreation. We have seen a lot of achievement so far in this early start to 2015. We had some basketball teams bring in some banners, and we had a young lady from Fort McPherson win a gold medal at the Canada Winter Games. In fact, we had a strong delegation representing the Beaufort-Delta region at the Canada Winter Games. Just recently, our Inuvik women’s team won the territorial championships this past weekend.

This is all a good segue to show...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the energy department there is an area under solar energy, and for the last couple of years it has received funding in the area of maybe about $625,000.

Can I ask the Minister if that funding has been fully utilized throughout the Northwest Territories as well?

It’s a shame to hear that the program wasn’t fully utilized in previous years, and I do understand that the department does have a partnership with the Arctic Energy Alliance.

I was wondering when was the last time the Minister met with the Arctic Energy Alliance and looked at this policy to see what barriers and challenges are preventing our businesses from actually participating in this program that can potentially help businesses succeed, get a higher revenue but also cut down on our carbon emissions.

I’d like to ask him, when was the last time that his department and staff met with Arctic...

Like I said, it’s a high cost of travel. Inuvik comes down to participate in all these events all the time from the Beaufort-Delta region. As well, it’s a great chance to showcase the Beaufort-Delta region. Also, it might be one of the last times to actually drive the ice road, so that’s one thing to also highlight.

Before I finish off my Member’s statement, I would just like to thank the Arctic Winter Games 2018 Bid Committee from the Beaufort-Delta region for their hard work and for doing an excellent job in showcasing what we have to offer in the Beaufort-Delta region.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do want to thank the Minister responsible for bringing this bill forward in terms of making sure that we actually uphold and protect the rights and the laws of our residents of the Northwest Territories. I think this really strengthens the bill as we have it right now in terms of the bill before us, the Jury Act, so that there are no loopholes that result in mistrials and we protect the rights of residents, possible victims and the general public.

I just want to say that I’m glad to see this and we are unique in the Northwest Territories in that we do have a small...