Statements in Debates
We have, through the Sport Hunt Outfitter Marketing support program, helped those outfitters that have needed some assistance along the way protect the assets that they have out there. We haven’t had any discussion with the group about reclamation or bringing anything back that’s recoverable. That discussion hasn’t taken place.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think when we were going through page by page, the chairperson at the time didn’t call 12-14. You may just want to call 12-14 again, for the record, just before we conclude.
Mr. Speaker, that’s something that we could discuss with the companies that we have socio-economic agreements with. Again, I know there’s interest from the mining companies to get in front of the members’ committee to discuss the situation that he talks about with the performance of the SEAs. Again, that offer is out there. We would like to have the opportunity to get in front of the committee to talk about the issues that are in front of us on employment and opportunities to get people to live here in the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Madam Chair, Mr. Chair. I’m going to go to Deputy Minister Vician for a response to that question.
Thank you. In addition to the $25,000 that we have earmarked for the Great Northern Arts Festival, our staff, on a regional basis obviously, help with in-kind support to the festival, and have for a number of years, and will continue to provide that assistance to the arts festival in Inuvik. Thank you.
We currently have four of those positions in the Northwest Territories in four different communities across the NWT, but no, they’re there to observe and monitor and act as a liaison with the RCMP and report activity to the RCMP and monitor the situation as it happens. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Any of those marketing efforts and dollars spent would have to be done in close conjunction with the manufacturer to ensure we are maximizing the exposure, the brand and getting that brand the premium it deserves as mined, cut and polished Northwest Territories diamonds. This also includes the Polar Bear, as well, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is Peter Vician, the deputy minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. To my right is Ms. Nancy Magrum, director of shared services, finance and administration. Thank you.
Yes, getting back to the review on effectiveness and efficiency, the answer to the Member’s question is yes. As we move this forward, I look forward to the input of Regular Members on where we go from here. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We take every opportunity to sit down with industry and just recently we had the opportunity. I know, through the budget address, we’re looking at increasing the population by 2,000 residents here in the Northwest Territories over the next five years. We’re not going to do that if we don’t have buy-in from the mining companies here in the Northwest Territories that are big employers here. We need to continue that dialogue, and we will continue that dialogue on trying to find a way and a means to attract people to live in the Northwest Territories and be residents here.
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