Michael Nadli

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that's the point that I'm making is that, you know, we have a period where we have a large influx of people that start using the campgrounds, and especially once the campground in Fort Providence opens sometime in mid-May, having a large influx, and I don't know how perhaps the Minister would contemplate just the construction schedule or the work to be completed in terms of the expansion of the 20 sites and whether those things will be considered? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, the other question that I have is that, see as an example Fort Providence Territorial Park construction of the 20 additional sites. I'm just trying to understand the work that will be required if that's going to be stuff that of course the department would contemplate in terms of its procurement initiative and whether ultimately those would be going out for RFP. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to make some comments in terms of the capital estimates for 2017-2018. The process that we saw -- this has been my fifth year in terms of at least being a witness of having the departments and the committee work together in terms of the budget process regarding the capital estimates. We're proposing to commit $331 million estimated in spending for communities throughout the NWT. Now, one thing that I wanted to express is just a concern of the process that we experience, and it's left me to say that I know it's a bit presumptuous to act as if we have already...

From start to successful stage in terms of deriving profit from perhaps a business venture, what are we doing to help small businesses become self-sustaining? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. In my statement I made reference to SEED funding in the amount of $21.5 million that were distributed to all 33 communities in 2014 and 2015. The question that I have for the Minister is how are grants and contributions monitored to ensure they are used for their intended purpose? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's all the questions I have.

The other question that I had is how does this department coordinate its work with other departments to ensure that habitat is protected? We have a series of conservation area network initiatives that are pending or being developed or advanced. Would the Minister explain in terms of its coordination with other departments in terms of ensuring that habitat is protected?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about a traditional economy and my questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. In small and remote communities there's a heavy reliance in terms of traditional foods where people have to supplement their diets and their income by taking on traditional economy and so it becomes a very critical and integral part of the community's economy. How is this government investing in the promotion and protection of traditional lifestyles? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. In the outset, the Minister had indicated that he would be interested in developing at least a summary in terms of the investment of this government in terms of assistance to small communities and their traditional economy. Would the Minister commit to ensuring that report is tabled within the House at a given time and made available to this side of the House? Mahsi.

I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. In the past, the Protected Area Strategy outlined a seven-step process in terms of bringing governments and communities to work on conservation area networks. Can the Minister explain how the conservation area network will improve upon the PAS initiative?