David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I certainly appreciate the Member’s concerns and questions regarding the $2 million on the security fences at the North Slave Correctional Centre. I want the Member to know that initially when I saw that number, I had a number of questions, as well, for the department. Once I had a look at the reasons why we needed to construct a security fence and a perimeter fence at North Slave Correctional Centre, the cost can be justified. It is something that we need to move forward with.

I’m glad you brought up the spiritual and cultural component of on-the-land type of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize today the chief coroner of the Northwest Territories, Ms. Cathy Menard. Also with Ms. Menard we have other coroners from Yellowknife, Garth Eggenberger, Wendy Eggenberger, Nicole Latour, Ruth McLean and Adelle Guigon. I’d like to say thank you very much for the hard work that you do in performing your duties as coroners here in the Northwest Territories.

I also want to recognize all the educators we have with us today in the gallery. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Mr. Kevin Wallington for all the hard work he put in on developing the egg...

Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2013 Annual Report.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, we are looking at the market, both here domestically in the Northwest Territories and the export market. We have a marketing subsidy that we have supplied to fisher people here in the Northwest Territories and it is certainly something that we will continue to explore with the events in Alberta. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We really believe strongly that we can reinvigorate the fishing industry on Great Slave Lake. Through the Economic Opportunities Strategy we have identified $1.5 million to look at an export grade fish plant, a new fish plant in Hay River and something that we continue to move forward with, although $1.5 million won’t get us to where we need to go. We are going to need partners. We are currently in discussions with some potential partners on seeing that new fish plant built in Hay River. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, now that the Government of the Northwest Territories is responsible for administering the territory’s onshore petroleum resources, we are looking ahead to effectively plan and manage the NWT’s world-class oil and gas potential for the benefit of all residents.

To encourage future exploration and responsible development of oil and gas reserves in the territory, the Department of Industry, Tourism and investment is preparing for its first ever call cycle for oil and gas exploration rights.

Mr. Speaker, at this stage, the petroleum rights issuance process is moving forward with the...

The Government of the Northwest Territories is currently working with key stakeholders and industry to identify viable options for implementation of a territory-wide 911 system. This work will inform future decisions concerning 911 implementation in the Northwest Territories, and a draft implementation plan, I believe, is coming forward to this House before December of this year.

Of course, this topic is nothing new to Members. It was studied by the City of Yellowknife in 2008. The intent is to build upon that examination and to consider how we can implement such a system on a territory-wide...

As I mentioned in my previous response, it is very difficult to recruit staff here in Yellowknife for those OCC positions because of the type of work, the specific skills required and the level of security clearance that’s required. Again, recruiting staff in smaller communities and regional centres is going to be even more difficult.

Recruitment of community members for auxiliary dispatch program could face similar or greater obstacles due to the lack of capacity in most communities, and the lack of willingness to volunteer, and high stress, high demand and occupations for no pay.

In the past...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too wanted to recognize the Students Against Impaired and Distracted Driving that were with us earlier today as well as all the students from Aurora College. It’s great to see you here. Good luck with your studies.

I also wanted to recognize my constituency assistant, Ms. Morgan. I didn’t realize she was moonlighting for my colleague Mr. Bouchard.

---Laughter

But I’m happy to see her here and I’m happy to share her services. I want to recognize the services that Ms. Morgan provides my office with. She does a great job, so thanks to Wendy.

I also wanted to recognize Mr...