Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Next on the list, we have Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the winter, there were a number of people that I spoke to who were thinking of actually going out this summer on their own to pick mushrooms, but the process needs to be explained: how to dry them, how to clean them, and all that. Will the department ensure that someone is there to pick them up, just to make sure that everything is done properly, and maybe a little short course here in the first part of June once the ferry is open? Mr. Speaker, will the department ensure that that is done? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am glad the Minister mentioned the fire smarting. That leads me to my next question: can the Minister commit to fire smarting communities in the Mackenzie Delta this year so that the communities can use their capital funds for other critical infrastructure needs?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as summer approaches, concerns over this year's fire season start to emerge. We are already seeing conditions getting dry, so the chances of having a busy fire season are higher. Last year, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic experienced a few local fires, but luckily, the wind pushed them away from the communities. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are concerned about the current status of firebreaks in their communities. Over the last few years, we have observed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources put the onus of fire smarting on communities. This...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I know this came up mostly here in the southern part of the territory, not too much up in the northern section. As, you know, for the most part, these are the early days of legalization; there wasn't really an issue. Well, really, I've never even heard it mentioned, the need for programming or anything like this. Moving forward, possibly, I'm sure that's why the government wanted to put this under the liquor stores at the start of this process, to ensure that businesses and people didn't fail trying to get into this business. The way the government sees it is...

Thank you. Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have a little difficulty supporting this motion because, in our community visits, I didn't hear that communities wanted licensed establishments. Actually, there are two people who kind of felt that that encouraged or maybe sent the wrong message to our youth, which I see where they're coming from on this. Maybe further down the line this may be all right, but for now, I find it difficult to support this one because of what I heard in the communities. You know, it may be different here in Yellowknife, but the smaller communities feel that this is an issue. So...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will try to run the clock here. Just kidding. When can we see the project completed? It would be pretty exciting for this region to actually have a wind turbine in the community, and just to see how that affects the cost of living. It would be a good example for other communities, as well. When can we see this project completed? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That sounds good. I was hoping they negotiated it, but I am sure we will get a little more information from the Minister once he is available there. I will move onto the parking garage we have in Aklavik. I believe this is the second time where we have this carry-over. Will the department ensure the work is done this summer as soon as possible? I'm sure the community would appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Next, I will go to the Inuvik airport access road. I believe the contract was awarded earlier this spring. Is that where the carry-over is going? Thank you, Mr. Chair.