David Ramsay

Mr. Chair, first of all, I believe it is good that the Northwest Territories is at the table to protect our interests. We are included, not excluded, in these discussions. I want to put that out there first and foremost.

In regard to municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities had expressed concerns over any international agreement that would be binding upon municipalities and the tendering or procurement practices. The FCM suggested that the FCM be included and CETA at discussions. The FCM has also called on all provincial and territorial municipality associations to present...

Yes, Mr. Chair.

The end result or the end goal of a Hydro Strategy would be to, first of all, lessen our reliance on fossil fuel in the territory. It would also provide some economic activity across the territory, reduce greenhouse gas emissions tremendously and it’s a much more environmentally sound energy source. That would be the end goal of a Hydro Strategy, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe I had a similar question on this page when I was going through with the folks from ITI, but we’ll allow Ms. Magrum to answer the question. Thank you.

Perhaps I’ll go to Deputy Minister Vician to explain that.

Mr. Chair, yes, we are set to host the meeting next week. We have had to re-evaluate how those meetings would take place. It is going to be a conference call with other Ministers from around the country and the federal government as well.

In regard to the Member’s comments about allowing international companies to come in and take business away from local businesses, I think we have a few things we can look to to protect us from that happening. Of course, there is the Business Incentive Policy here in the NWT. There are regional economic measures. There are Aboriginal economic programs. I...

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, again through MECC and through NT Energy. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The $550,000 is for marketing of fish and meat in the NWT. We’ve seen some of that money get spread around the Northwest Territories into all five regions. I can get a breakdown for the Member if he likes. It’s the promotion and support of commercial harvesting, processing and marketing of fish and meat in the NWT. It will increase the availability of locally produced and healthy food in NWT communities. Thank you.

Again, I just wanted to mention something I mentioned earlier, and that is the government has made a commitment to look at decentralization and the possibility of moving some positions. I think before we begin looking at one position here or one position there, it would be in our best interest to look at it collectively and in a comprehensive fashion before we make decisions just to one-off moving a position here or moving a position there.

In our review of the position of the permafrost geologist, it was best situated here at the NTGO, and that’s the geoscience office. It’s a permafrost...