Katrina Nokleby

Thank you, Madam Chair. Food security is obviously a mandate priority of our Assembly. Yes, we are currently actually reviewing all of our programs around food security. We are creating, I don't know what we want to call it at this point, but maybe a secretariat, maybe not the right word, but a group within the department whose focus will be solely on food security, then to liaise with the other departments, with health and others, that would have roles to play in that. We're recognizing that food security is no longer just a little section tacked onto the side and that it does need its own...

Thank you, Madam Chair. First, Madam Chair, I'm just going to return. I do have your number; I didn't scroll far enough over. For the Tlicho Government, we provide $292,000 for the economic development officer, the initiatives there. Then, back to the community futures, those are always very well over-subscribed, definitely. I know that is one that we do in conjunction sometimes with CanNor, and such, and they provide funding that way, as well. So there were 18 of 19 vacancies on that last time; that's why there's the variance, there.

Yes, I would agree, community futures is an area that we...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would have to look at what number that would account to; however, I am very open to exploring it. It would be about $825,000 of loss, so I guess I probably shouldn't have said it's nominal. It's nominal for an individual to come to the site. However, I would offer that, if people are finding that that is a burden, to come and talk to me, and we will see what we can do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was looking to have that easy "Yes. I have read the report." I have read the report and the recommendations. Thank you. Ultimately, the report and everything in it seems to be a very good summary of the conversations that we have been having as a 19th Assembly here over the last eight months. There was a lot of good information in there that I am keen to see started. We do need to sit down as a group and determine what we want to get out of our procurement review. However, I had directed the department to do so ahead of COVID. Obviously, we are continuing on with that...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think, on this one, I will ask Ms. Strand to answer. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I do just have an update. It was last done in April of 2019. At that time, two years ago, they added a $75,000 increase for strategic initiatives. I just wanted to let the Member know that. I commit to doing this soon. SEED has become one of the largest conversations I have been having in the last while. I think that it is a great tool for us to use to build small business in the North. We have had lots and lots of conversation about how business is needed in the North. I commit to review the SEED program in whole. Let me get through COVID. I will perhaps say by the end...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, we can share that with you before it's finalized. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I commit to looking into whether we can create that policy. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to ask Ms. St-Denis to answer that. That's in her department. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We support communities to have their own employees within the community to do their own economic development, so that money goes to regional governments for their own hiring in that area. Thank you, Madam Chair.