Bob McLeod

But I agree it's important to make sure our programs are effective. We have seen increased interest in our agriculture program as more and more people are growing their own food. We're still in early days as the strategy has not been released; however, we will review the effectiveness of this strategy as we move forward into implementation.

The draft Agriculture Strategy has many recommendations on how to develop and support educational programs and educational resource development for agriculture. We will encourage and support the development and delivery of courses for community and regional trainers. The goal with the strategy is to improve overall capacity by having more people involved in northern agriculture, and we will develop foundational safe agriculture and food production, education resources including community and private sharing agriculture and harvesting of non-animal products. And the draft Agriculture Strategy...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Agriculture is a very important sector to our government and part of the Mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly. We have provided the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment with a draft Agriculture Strategy for review and look forward to hearing back from the committee. A key recommendation of the proposed strategy is that various organizations need to work together, including departmental collaboration to ensure that we all use our resources efficiently and effectively.

Another recommendation is the creation of a central repository or a common...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government first and foremost, and the only jurisdiction in Canada has recognized this as a statutory holiday.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are working with all of the governments across Canada, and of course the Government of Canada, to make sure that all of the recommendations are followed up on. I guess the biggest area for us to follow up on is for residential school survivors that have indicated there is additional need for healing and reconciliation, and so we will be looking into what further action we should be taking in those areas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled “Northwest Territories Oil and Gas Annual Report 2015” and “Ekati, Diavik and Snap Lake Socio-economic Agreements Implementation Report.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe previous governments have done so, and we’re quite prepared to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, June 21st is National Aboriginal Day. This day is an opportunity for all Northerners to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of the Northwest Territories’ Aboriginal people and the wealth of traditions, lifestyles, and languages that make up the fabric of the Northwest Territories. As the only jurisdiction in Canada to recognize this day as a statutory holiday we are leading the way for the rest of the country through our strong commitment to honour the Dene, Inuvialuit, and Metis people. Our experience shows that we are stronger and more successful when we work together as...

Mr. Speaker, research is a key component of a strong future for any resource economy. ITI’s new NWT geological survey division helps to fill this need and provides publicly available geoscience information that is used to stimulate mineral and petroleum exploration and investment, understand environmental change, assess mineral and petroleum resource potential, and assist in infrastructure projects and use decisions. Current projects focus on topics such as diamond exploration in the Slave Geological Province, mineral potential of the Mackenzie Mountains, permafrost melting and associated...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The mine is not in operation so this is for preparatory work to set up an advisory committee when the mine is up and running. Thank you, Mr. Chair.