I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. I did not realize the exchange was completed. I just want to raise the issue that the ice is being constructed by local companies employing local people. It’s been a source of income for seasonal workers for many, many years. I certainly support the continuation of contracting that ice crossing out. I’d like to ask the Minister, I’m not too sure if the contract is up this year, but it’s certainly something I’d like to see continue.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On January 20th to 23rd it was an exciting time to be in Fort Simpson as the town became the Village of Champions.

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The Village of Champions event celebrated hockey, but more importantly the achievements of many individuals and organizations, coaches, volunteers, parents and supporters. The event attracted approximately 500 people from Fort Simpson and other communities, including five hockey teams who participated in the weekend-long tournament.

This day was also recognized on Hockey Day in Canada on CBC North on Friday, February 11th.

To kick off...

Mr. Chairman, I just have one more line item that had a little bit of an increase of about $300,000, which is culture and heritage. I am just interested, once again, if some of that expenditure is for Aboriginal languages, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I also see that under the line item Aboriginal language and culture-based education there is an increase of about $300,000 over last year. Can the Minister explain how that will enhance and encourage Aboriginal language in the communities, if that is one of the activity areas in the department that will assist in developing our Aboriginal languages, Mr. Chairman?

Just with that, knowing that even though the district education authority in Fort Simpson is still deliberating on their library services, is this a possible pool of funds they can access to further their need to develop a library in Fort Simpson? Thank you.

Maybe I can get further details on where the library coordinator is going to be and which five communities are getting libraries, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I think I’ll just wait until further details on the other pages that do show better numbers for regional positions. I’ll ask further questions at that time. Thank you.

I certainly look forward to the Minister’s response and, as well, we’ll have another opportunity to discuss this during his departmental business plans in Committee of the Whole. I just wasn’t clear; did the Minister say that the contract was up this year or was that for the information that he requires to see?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions regarding the Liard River ice crossing. In November I raised the issue that the department had plans to use their own forces to build an ice bridge. That’s certainly something I don’t support. I’d like to ask the Minister what the plans are for this coming year’s ice construction schedule.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So the Aboriginal language and culture-based education, the Minister says it is part of the contribution that goes to the schools and that is how I imagine the regional educational council is the one that decides which schools get how much and the guidelines and parameters about what kind of program to use maybe. Maybe the Minister can just give me a typical program area on how this is expended.