The RCMP has recently filled its Aboriginal proactive recruiter position. The recruiter will be travelling throughout the Northwest Territories to actively recruit persons for all categories of jobs and positions with the RCMP. If the Member is aware of any people in his communities that are interested in the Community Constable Program, I’d encourage him to have them contact the RCMP or our new Aboriginal proactive recruiter so that they can hopefully get into the program this coming June. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have had folks participate in what was the Aboriginal Community Constable Program. That was a pilot project and that’s since evolved into the Community Constable Program. There’s another intake this coming June in Regina. We’ve had four applicants. Two are active and we’re looking across the territory for other interested candidates to take part in that Community Constable Program in Regina. Thank you.

Public safety matters to the RCMP and it matters to me, and again, that discussion will happen. Thank you.

As I mentioned, the RCMP are there to protect our communities. We have a number of people employed at the Department of Justice through our probation services. People are there. Policies are in place to protect our communities, protect our public. Again, some of the questions the Member is asking me today, really, I find somewhat insulting to people who are putting their lives on the line every day going to work and also keeping our communities safe. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to take a second too. I’ll start with recognizing the Austin family. I understand they’re off to Disneyland tomorrow and I wish you safe travels.

I also want to recognize a constituent, one of the chief organizers of the Memorial Cup Challenge this past weekend, Chris Johnson with the Northern Safety Association. Welcome, Chris.

I know MLA Dolynny was also organizing the event on Saturday and I want to thank him for that as well.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy, or EOS, is the most informed approach ever taken to advancing economic development in the NWT. Since the implementation plan for the EOS was tabled last October, we have been working hard to put the recommendations and initiatives outlined in the strategy in place.

Today I would like to update Members on the progress we are making on a few of these initiatives.

Responsibility for the implementation of the EOS is shared by a number of GNWT departments along with our strategy partners, the NWT Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Association of...

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice has been a Canadian leader in the corrections field with innovative and respectful wellness programs for Aboriginal inmates, including traditional counsellors, healing rooms, counselling with elders and spiritual ceremonies.

As Members from previous Assemblies will remember, I have always been a strong, and at times vocal, proponent of the need for a transparent, effective and accountable corrections system.

As Minister, I continue to fully support open and accountable processes for the management of the corrections service and rehabilitation of inmates...

Of course, infrastructure is a key to any success we are going to have in the oil and gas sector as we continue to develop our resources here in the territory. I would encourage residents in the Mackenzie Delta and in the Beaufort region to go online because we are going to have a survey online. I would encourage Members, when we do have consultation with Members, to continue to highlight that fact.

Undoubtedly, infrastructure will be a key part of the Oil and Gas Strategy on how we get our resources developed. So, again, I would encourage the Member and residents to please take part in the...

Having an able-bodied workforce and people ready to take advantage of the jobs that are going to be coming in the oil and gas sector is very important. I know we had a focus group session in Inuvik recently. I’d have to go back to the department. I’m not sure if Aurora College or folks from ECE were at that meeting. I’ll get that information for the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize the good work of all the Pages in the House. This is a long session; I know a lot of the Pages have put in long hours here, so thank you. I want to specifically recognize Ashley Stride. Ashley is a constituent of Kam Lake and a student at Sir John Franklin School. Thanks.