Michael Nadli

I’d like to thank the Minister for making a commitment, but I’d like to take it a step further. Can he commit to an immediate discount of rates to seniors, in terms of using the daily campgrounds, effective immediately? Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, what are the common types of services that one can expect if you do use the campgrounds, or perhaps on weekends or daily rates? What kind of services should people expect? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the middle of May, people of the Northwest Territories have been enjoying our many campgrounds. Our campgrounds have seen good ties with families and friends and are home to many cherished memories. They also welcome visitors to the Northwest Territories who sometimes travel remarkable distances just to enjoy spending a few days.

Our campgrounds attract a lot of tourists, and many of them are elders. We do not recognize seniors in our current rate structure. Earlier this year Cabinet agreed to increase the tourism marketing budget. We could create even more...

While we’re on the topic, is there a commitment of perhaps a date that we could see it eventually open? I think the residents and potential staff look forward to a new building that perhaps could be enjoyed by the residents of the reserve instead of currently travelling the road and going into town on the other side of the river. So is there a specific date that we should expect it to be open?

Madam Chair, my next question is in regard to the health station replacement on the Hay River Reserve. I understand that there is a building that is sitting there empty, unoccupied. I just want to clarify if the building is complete. What is the $180,000 for?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have questions and concerns, but the first is in regard to the proposed Fort Providence health centre. I could probably safely say that the community looks forward to the construction of the new health centre to replace the old building. We are looking forward to seeing it realized. I just wanted to see if there is a commitment from the Department of Public Works or the Department of Health and Social Services to meet with the community at some point, more likely the contractor has to be involved with that, but to ensure that the community residents do have input into...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is encouraging to hear from the Minister that one of the steps that he begins to perhaps contemplate is an immediate step of an action plan to ensure that the Economic Development Strategy moves forward. I want to see if there could be assurances from the Minister that he’ll commit to ensure that some initiatives that are badly needed in the have-not communities, like the communities that I represent in the riding, will happen.

Would the Minister commit to ensure that the partnership will continue, especially with the wood pellet industry initiative that’s ongoing...

Following up on that, there are three other communities, including Enterprise, Hay River Reserve, Kakisa, and my riding. I want to get an indication from the Minister, what are some other ways the department is working to ensure we develop a capacity for promoting tourism? Also at the same time, there are some opportunities that some entrepreneurs are beginning to raise interest in, and I wanted to know how the department is planning to support capacity. Mahsi.

With cooperation, collaboration and sustained effort from all sides, the Deh Cho will become one of the most prosperous and attractive regions of the NWT. Thank you.

I wanted to ask a question in terms of partnership and working with communities. I think it’s essential to ensure that lays the basis of the relationship, especially with communities that are basically categorized as have-nots. One of the recent initiatives that have come about is the initiative to establish a wood pellet plant in my riding. What kind of support capacity is the department undertaking to ensure that it does come to a successful reality and is one day operational? Mahsi.