Kevin O'Reilly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess this question is for the Minister, if I could get him to respond. Is the Minister prepared to change these terms of reference, to turn this into a representative body with representation from the kind of stakeholders that I just talked about, and actually have the Minister, him or herself, actually make the appointments rather than the deputy minister? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It's all good news today from the Minister. I appreciate her work on this. I'm just wondering if -- and I'm sorry, I didn't give her a heads up on this one -- she's been very thorough in answering everything else. What sort of specific funding, though, have we identified in the 2017-18 budget for these efforts as part of our mandate? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that response, but I guess I think the real way to find out what the public would like to know is actually get some public representation on the economic advisory committee itself. Let's turn to the committee. The Minister did provide us a terms of reference. Is that a public document at this point? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to the Minister. It was kind of an interesting explanation. I would encourage you to report on that good work, and you did, but it should be in the report, too, to tell the public that we're continuing to do that. I do recognize the efforts of the Minister and my colleague from Yellowknife Centre in conducting that work.

One of the three specific activities as stated in the mandate is as follows: we will support a communications campaign to increase the participation of women in politics. Can the Minister give specifics on when that campaign will be launched, and mindful that we're...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is helpful to know. Presumably, then, it will also be in the business plans, but I guess I am thinking about how would the department show what the money was spent on in terms of capital improvements, and will there be any tracking of statistics to show how the money is improving services at the airport, things like wait time, line-up lengths, and delivery of baggage, those sorts of things? Is there going to be any attempt to track any of that and show how improvements have improved the performance of the airport, itself? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Monsieur le President. Today I have a page who is serving in the House, Simone Bruce-Cato from St. Patrick School, and she's a constituent of mine. I want to thank all the pages for the hard work in this session; it hasn't been easy, but much appreciated. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I would like to just go back to the fees here for a minute. Is there any possibility, then, that these airport improvement fees are going to go down in the future? How would that be done? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't think I actually got an answer, though. Is the Minister prepared to work with his Cabinet colleagues to change the Federal Engagement Strategy to include trying to secure federal investments in our airports? I think it is completely consistent with our mandate because, you know, looking at the mandate, they're talking here about strategic investment, diversification of the economy, transportation, lots of things in here. I guess I'd like to know whether he and his Cabinet colleagues are prepared to change the Federal Engagement Strategy to move airports out in the...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess we're going to agree to disagree. Can the Minister tell us what sort of efforts he and his Cabinet colleagues have made in terms of trying to secure some of the increased investment or capital following from the federal government for specific improvements at the Yellowknife Airport? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the Minister for that response. So can the Minister just tell us a little bit more about why the department is not willing to consider a phase-in of the fees? Thank you, Mr. Chair.