Kevin A. Menicoche

The concern is being raised from the communities that I represent, Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson, the leadership that’s there, only because we just recently created this new national park reserve. There were increased operation expenses. As well as they’re looking at some capital expenditures in Nahanni Butte and Fort Simpson, and the increase in jobs. I was very pleased to see that lots of local people did get hired there. But for this season alone they’re saying it’s a very limited impact. But my concern there is that our government hasn’t taken a position. Because I believe that they’re...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to speak about the potential impacts of the federal government on our park system, most particularly the Nahanni National Park in my riding. The residents and the leadership of Fort Simpson are very concerned about these reductions to these programs and services in the parks budget.

A few weeks ago I issued a press release stating my concerns, and today I look to our government to take a position and advocate on behalf to the federal government about how these impacts may be negative to the region and the people.

Canada is saying minimal impacts but my...

I’m pleased that our government is taking action on this. I believe that if the Premier can raise more specifically the Nahanni National Park Reserve, the operations, the future plans. Like I said, as far as I know right now they’re just affecting seasonal operations, but long-term plans, I’m concerned because we have lots of young people that have been hired by our parks system in Fort Simpson, and hopefully they’ll stay in that system and stay in the communities.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up with my question with regard to the seasonality of operations at Parks Canada and how they impact the operation of Nahanni National Park. I’d like to ask the Premier: Has this government been updated on the reductions and the cutbacks that will be affecting those operations? Thank you.

Before I began this discussion, I had a discussion with our staff, and I’ll try to stay away from the budget numbers there, but certainly I will be raising it more specifically in Committee of the Whole. The overarching thing is the concern that there is a reduction of about $300,000 there, Mr. Speaker. However, there is also some passive restraint going on with the NWT tourism. There’s $400,000 being held back and that’s creating concern for the people that depend on this, on government funding and the support.

Once again, I’d like to ask the Minister how is it that our government continues to...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on my statement on tourism whereas there are potential reductions. I’d like to ask the Minister of ITI, being that tourism is one of the NWT’s highest goals and objectives, I’m surprised that we will be facing some reductions. I’m just wondering why we are heading in this direction when we should be supporting and enhancing the tourism sector.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Your committee would like to do some opening comments.

If the Minister is talking about increased volumes, then it certainly has been increased in the last few years and yet we’re faced with some reductions in our tourism budget. I just don’t see it and my constituents don’t see it. Every little dollar helps our NWT economy, Mr. Speaker.

Once again, I’d like to ask the Minister what prompted him to reduce our budgets. It’s been increasing in the nine years that I’ve been MLA and now this is the first time I’ve seen our tourism budget reduced, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I wanted to speak about tourism in the NWT. Last week I attended the Rendezvous Canada down in Edmonton. It was a great pleasure to attend it with Mr. Ted Grant of Simpson Air, as well as Loyal and Ria Letcher from North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge.

It was great to be there and it was great to see all the ideas that are there from all jurisdictions in Canada. All jurisdictions are very supportive of their tourism industry.

For years our Northwest Territories Tourism has worked hard, with a limited budget to promote the NWT around the world. Recently, ITI...

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I offer some general comments on the main estimates before the House for this week and this budget session. I think I’ve made the point the other day about missing two words, which are “Highway No. 7” and “expenditures” for it, new money for this coming fiscal year.

It saddens me that there are zero dollars allocated for capital expenditures for this year. I know there are some capital carry-overs from last year’s projects, and earlier in the year I made strenuous efforts to get the Minister to commit to expend those funds. Before the rainy season, late August...