David Ramsay

I should also mention the support that ITI gets from ENR, as well, on this as we support trappers around the Northwest Territories.

As for the Member’s suggestion that we look at taking a couple of top trappers, maybe we could look at the top trapper having an award or… We can look at that. I think it is a good suggestion and something that, I think, if the trapper gets a chance to go to an auction and see how it all plays itself out from trapline to auction floor, I think that is a good experience for them to have and something that we will certainly consider. Thank you.

I just had a similar opportunity in the Deh Cho. I was down in Fort Simpson speaking to the Chamber of Commerce in Fort Simpson. Any opportunity I get to speak to business people, chamber of commerce across the Northwest Territories, whether it’s in Norman Wells or Hay River, Inuvik or Fort Simpson, I’ll be there. If there is a conference and my availably is there, I’ll be able to come and speak.

I still am very optimistic about the future in the central Mackenzie Valley and the Member’s riding about all the opportunity that is there, and I think some brighter days are ahead of us.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my right I have Ms. Kelly Kaylo, assistant deputy minister, economic development, with Industry, Tourism and Investment, and to my left I have Mr. Peter Vician, deputy minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

I think what the Member is getting to really highlights the work that went into the Economic Opportunities Strategy and the fact that as a government we have to diversify our economy, we have to have those business-type supports in all sectors of our economy. You’ll see through the EOS, we are looking at different aspects, agriculture, tourism, the fishing industry, just to name a few and that’s really… We have to be putting a focus on that because resource development in a lot of ways is cyclical, it is up and down, and we need to ensure that we have those supports in place for all sectors of...

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...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table to following document, entitled “Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation ‘13-14 Annual Report” and “Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation ‘14-15 Corporate Plan.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To accommodate the translation needs, the department has arranged for the RCMP “G” Division members to have access to language line services, or CanTalk. It’s a 24-hour translation service for most languages, including many Aboriginal languages. In addition, OCC maintains a list of the languages spoken by “G” Division members and employees.

The RCMP “G” Division has on staff an Aboriginal person who is a recruiter specifically for the Northwest Territories. The role of the recruiter is to travel to communities and make RCMP career presentations to interested individuals. While there, there are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Operations and Communications Centre is located here in Yellowknife. It provides services to every community across the Northwest Territories. The centre currently has 21 employees, which includes four operators and one supervisor per 12-hour shift.

The OCC is able to make direct contact with at least one officer from each detachment across the Northwest Territories at all times. We have an operation that is centrally located. It’s the most cost-effective and efficient way to operate a very specialized 24/7 policing operation. Calls from communities are taken, as I...

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...