David Ramsay

Thank you. I believe the on-line reservation system has been in place for a number of years now. To get to the detail of the Member’s question, I’d certainly have to take a look at that and we’ll get back to the Member with a response. Thank you.

Again, I thank the Member. That is something we’re also looking at. It will be a comprehensive look at the operation times, hours, opening season of the parks, and how they’re operated and how that works. I look forward to working with the Members later on when we do this look into the operation of parks around the territory. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Member for that. It is a good question. We do need to find more capital dollars for campgrounds or park systems across the Northwest Territories. The number we have in this year’s capital plan is very meager. We certainly need to find more.

There has been a great deal of talk – they are going back a number of years, even since I was with the department a number of years ago – about an RV park here in Yellowknife. That is something we have to continue to pursue. Also, there are opportunities at Fred Henne to expand campgrounds there and sites there at that park. There...

I can certainly get that level of detail for the Member. It exists. We can certainly track that and look forward to providing that information to the Member. Thank you.

If the committee asks the government to look at that, we certainly would take a look at it. Also, if I could just mention this: The RCMP isn't the only agency that enforces. By-law can also enforce the legislation. If there’s a crackdown, there’s a real effort to try and increase the number of tickets that are issued, that’s something, working with the Minister of Justice and the enforcement agencies in the territory. If that’s something that we’re interested in doing, then perhaps that’s something we could look at as well.

But certainly, it’s the Regular Members who have the prerogative. If...

The House, the last Legislative Assembly passed that legislation. It came into force January 1st of this past year, or this year. We have the law in place. It’s a fine of $115. It’s three demerit points. We have had a public awareness campaign, Leave the Phone Alone, through our Drive Alive program. We have efforts like that. But at the end of the day, people that still choose to use their phone… I haven’t heard the concerns that the Member brought up today in his statement. I know, speaking on a personal note, it’s made me leave my phone alone. I believe three demerit points and a fine of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Investment in the Northwest Territories tourism industry is vital to our goal of a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.

Like our resource industry, the tourism industry has many spin-off benefits and is on the brink of tremendous growth. The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to work to improve the visitor experience and encourage tourism.

Investment in our territory’s world-class network of parks and campgrounds further enhances our tourism product. Improvements this past year included new...

I spent eight years working in parks as a park officer. It’s been an issue for a long time and I’ve made a commitment today to the Member that it’s something that, as Minister, he has my commitment that we are going to take a look at this. Are there ways that this could be done better? Are there ways that, for example, when a park closes on a Saturday, that we can look at keeping it open at least until Monday. That makes sense.

It’s a short enough summer here in the Northwest Territories, and we have to take advantage of any opportunity we have to get the public and to get visitors out at our...

Yes, Mr. Speaker. A Northwest Territories driver’s licence issued at any community in the Northwest Territories is good anywhere in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Again I thank the Member for bringing up the question of on-line services provided by DOT. I’m not sure if I wasn’t clear enough, but the answer was yes, we will look at it and we will provide Members with an update as we move forward with plans to provide on-line services.