Michael Nadli

Is the Minister willing to make an effort to engage Aboriginal governments and other organizations in supporting local mushroom harvests?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories has an opportunity to cater to the world. Morel mushrooms that fetch hundreds of dollars on the international markets thrive in areas burned by forest fires and attract harvesters from far and wide.

It was encouraging to see residents tap into the local resource this summer and finally the government step up with some response. ITI held workshops and orientation meetings in the Deh Cho this past spring, including walking workshops where participants go out in the field and learn the steps involved in harvesting morels, from locating the species to...

The Minister has indicated that one of the functions of the conference bureau is to track visitor information but at the same time ensure that there is indeed a list of meeting places that are quite possible that could be made for references for people that come up north.

Is the Minister willing to direct the conference bureau to consider adding some of the facilities in small communities, such as the Sandy Creek Lodge, to an inventory of venues for meetings and events? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

I understand the conference bureau initiative is already underway. Can the Minister describe what the conference bureau hopes to achieve? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for his reply.

What assistance is available to the owners and operators of facilities in our communities to successfully host conferences and other events, for example, hospitality training, facility maintenance and administrative needs? Mahsi.

Can the Minister discuss any early results so far? He has indicated that they are tracking visitor information. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment recently tabled the Economic Opportunities Implementation Plan. Tourism is a key component of the plan to diversify and enhance economic opportunities throughout the NWT. The conference bureau initiative is among the programs ITI is funding through this strategy, and I wanted to highlight some of the opportunities that program creates for small communities in the NWT.

The conference bureau needs to look beyond the regional centres of Yellowknife, Inuvik or Fort Smith to see the amenities smaller places have to offer. The newly...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

We had quite a summer in the Deh Cho. The record-breaking fire season had a significant impact on communities in my riding, as they did across the NWT, leading to smoky conditions and difficulties in travel.

Kakisa had a very close call when the fire came within 100 metres of some homes. Despite this scary experience, I’m happy to say that no structures were lost in or around Kakisa and residents began returning home from a weeklong evacuation on July 4th.

On behalf of all people in my riding, I want to thank everyone who assisted with the...

As I was saying, our residents continue to be concerned with problems such as substance abuse, family violence and the lack of job opportunities, especially for local youth and people who are not available to work in the mining sector. In the final year of the 17th Assembly, I strongly encourage community members, leadership and governments to work together to reach the goals of healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities in the Deh Cho. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure Members and the public are ready for a good news story for a change.

Kakisa is getting a new community hall and I wanted to recognize the good work being done on this project. Community halls are important to the social fabric of the NWT. They are the scene of hundreds of local events but also serve the territory as a meeting place for visitors, presentations, consultations and regional special occasions.

The new facility replaces a much smaller community hall attached to the band office, and Kakisa simply outgrew the space. Using its MACA infrastructure contribution...