Bob McLeod

We’re prepared to work with all of the agencies and governments involved in economic development in the region. We’re currently negotiating an MOU on contracting with the Inuvialuit regional council. We are always working for better coordination and streamlining.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the Northwest Territories has been in the enviable position where it’s been sheltered more than other jurisdictions from the volatility of the national and world economies, especially since our gross domestic product has been consistently strong over the past ten years.

But as a government we’ve introduced some new initiatives. Most recently we’re just in the process of rolling out the SEED Policy, the Strategic Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Program which is geared to levels 2 and 3 communities. We are investing $2.5 million that’s now available under...

Mr. Speaker, the effectiveness of the government’s programs and services is determined by the quality of the people who deliver them. In today’s highly competitive labour market we need to do more to recognize that our staff are the government’s most valuable resource.

To attract qualified staff and create an environment that encourages them to remain with the Government of the Northwest Territories, it takes more than an investment of money. It also takes planning, vision and commitment. We believe that the government is a challenging and exciting organization that can provide staff with a...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m glad that the Member agrees that we need to exercise due diligence so that all of the liabilities, especially with regard to the land, are identified and dealt with before we proceed with the land transfer.

Having said that, there is a considerable amount of work being done by the Sahtu Land and Water Board, the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board and our government with regard to mapping and database development of the CANOL Trail. As well, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is completed. Their archaeological report and the...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My understanding is that we have fulfilled our commitments that were negotiated through the Gwich’in land claim with regard to the establishment of parks.

I know that under the Sahtu claim we are still trying to move forward on the Doi T’oh park. We are being held up primarily by problems with getting ownership or access to the lands set aside for the park and the CANOL Trail, and primarily it is with regard to environmental issues. So it has taken us longer than originally anticipated to get ownership of and access to the parks. It comes down to a question of: do we...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Member is correct. We have been undertaking a number of initiatives. We have mentioned the SEED policy, which has been changed to target level 2 and 3 communities. One of our objectives is to promote development in every one of our 33 communities. We will be actively working in that regard. As well, we have targeted marketing dollars to help promote the harvesting sector. We have a cadre of officers that either work for the government or work for regional and community organizations to promote development. So this is something that we have been working on to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I noted earlier, we can’t proceed with the transfer of lands until DIAND has completed a full contaminated sites assessment and remediation of the land to be transferred. The last time I checked, our expectation is that this assessment would be completed and scheduled to be released in 2009. As we get closer to that date, then we would look at reconvening our management committee, which has completed the work that has been required up to date.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have had developed a number of strategies over the years. I think the most recent one was Tourism 2010, which identifies the vision and the strategy for going forward. With the funding that has been available generally, to date we have been trying to maintain our existing facilities. We really haven’t had funding to be able to go and construct new tourism facilities in any big way.

Mr. Speaker, this is Small Business Week, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate entrepreneurs and their businesses across the Northwest Territories.

Small businesses play a vital role in the economy of our communities and our territory. They provide products, services, knowledge and skills that are the foundation of sustainable local economies and enhance our quality of life.

Since March of this year an average of 2,100 individuals per month have reported being self-employed. This represents 10 per cent of all individuals employed in the Northwest Territories. Many of these individuals have...

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recognize the difference between a province and a territory. Ontario as a province can collect royalties on diamonds that are being produced, so we have to find other ways to maximize benefits to the Northwest Territories. One of the ways we have done that is by requiring an allocation from the diamond mines and establishing a secondary diamond industry. So that is how we’re maximizing our benefits.

We had people attend the diamond bourse hearings that were held so that we could stay on top of it and monitor what was going on with regard to the diamond...