We are expecting the results of all of the detailed work by April 2010. The expectation is that by October we would have our cost estimates and work plan developed. Assuming that the project is technically, environmentally and financially viable, then we would proceed through the regulatory process. Mini-hydro has a very small footprint so it won’t be flooding any large areas. The powerhouse is very small and the transmission line is very short; it’s only 17 kilometres. So our expectation is it wouldn’t take us very long to get regulatory approval. Assuming that, probably the earliest we could...

There are a number of ways we can analyze how successful we’ve been at Northern House. One is to impute the value of all of the media coverage that we’ve been getting. We’ve been on major international networks, we are getting a lot of coverage from the tourism media and different newspapers and publications, so that’s one way of imputing value. If we had to pay for all that coverage, it would probably be in the millions of dollars, perhaps in the tens of millions of dollars.

Other ways will depend on how many people come to the Northwest Territories, and we capture that information through our...

When I say we’re looking and studying Fred Henne Park, we’re looking at the available land that we have. We’re also looking at how many campsites we can build in there. Once we get all of that information we’ll have to put together a business case so we can come to the Legislative Assembly as part of our business planning process to obtain additional resources so that we can expand our capacity for RV camping. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, many Northwest Territories residents are watching with great interest as our Canadian athletes, including Hay River’s own Brendan Green, strive to “Own the Podium” at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

It is important to note that the Olympics are more than just a sporting event. These Olympics are not just Vancouver’s games, but Canada’s games and, more importantly, have been the first Olympics to fully partner with aboriginal people. The 2010 Olympics are also a celebration of arts and culture, which we witnessed when our performing artists put on a tremendous show during the Victory Day...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am quite familiar with the history of the Fort Resolution sawmill. I think that it was in existence for quite a long period of time through different management regimes and the last operation that I am familiar with, it was owned by the NWT Development Corporation. At that time, there was always an issue with accessing timber and that’s still an issue for forestry operators in the Northwest Territories.

The biggest problem in finding an efficient sawmill that could maximize the utilization of the timber. I believe, if I recall correctly, the recovery rate was something...

Thank you. Yes, I would certainly support that, working with the region. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The BDIC’s mandate is to provide for business opportunities to create jobs. We have a subsidiary program which operates on the premise that it’s better to have people working, even if the business operation is losing money. So if you can create jobs and if the government or if the corporation has to provide a top-up so that jobs are created, we are prepared to do that. We are mandated by the Financial Management Board, so for every job created, we can top up the contribution up to a maximum of $25,000 per job. So we have a number of subsidiaries that operate on that basis...

I should point out, also, that through the Minister of Youth, they are also involved in this Take-a-Kid Trapping Program. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I can assure the Member that we have regular interactions with Avalon; our regional staff interact with them almost on a weekly basis. I myself meet with them at every opportunity. The last time I met with management of Avalon was at the Cordilleran Roundup in Vancouver and they do have representatives here in Yellowknife as well. So we have the opportunity to meet with them on a regular basis. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We would follow policy review convention and it would be referred to a committee, whatever the process is. We’ve already done all the consultation. All the stakeholders are aware of what is being proposed, so we would follow the policy convention of the government. Thank you, Mr. Chair.