Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The anticipation is that we will attempt to have the study done during this fiscal year, and we would be pleased to give committee regular updates as we move along in this process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 7, Chartered Professional Accountants Act, be read for the third time. Mr. Speaker, I would request a recorded vote.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding of the planning study will produce a class C cost estimate and preliminary schematic design. The study will look at a wide range of capital needs for the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, including the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; collection storage space quantity and quality; asbestos remediation if any is found; geotechnical assessment of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage reserve land; security and safety concerns; public access and employee workspace requirements; and aesthetic factors like retail space, accessibility...

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, that's what it's going to cost our government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the Member's comments, and it is one of the reasons that we debate the capital budget in the fall time, so that, once it is approved, if it is approved, then that gives time for planning, and, if those are successful and get contracts through this process, then they can take advantage of the winter roads and have their planning to have a lot of their material into their respective communities in a timely fashion. We have run into some issues in the past where, in the old capital budget planning process, we would approve a budget and then...

Mr. Speaker, establishment of a new territorial park via legislation during the life of the Assembly, needless to say, is a priority with the Government of the Northwest Territories as well as the mandate item. A collaborative effort process with the Indigenous government organization, other level of governments, and stakeholders has been undertaken to gather input needed to develop this important piece of legislation. The work continues. Public engagement is also underway. Formal consultation with Indigenous governments and organizations is also ongoing. It will be conducted prior to...

Mr. Speaker, this is a possibility. Once TDN is established, a management plan will be developed, which will better inform the staff complement for the protected areas. I wouldn't be able to tell the Member right now how many jobs that we are hoping to create out of this or planning to create out of this. Once the management plan is developed, then we will have a better understanding of the number of jobs and the types of jobs that are going to be available.

This is a topic that needs more investigation. As the Member is aware, a lot of these people that bootleg wouldn't actually go into the liquor store to buy the alcohol themselves. They would use, and the word is "use," other people to go to buy the alcohol for them, which takes some of the pressure off of them. They have ways that they work around it, and I think restrictions have been tried before. If there was a known bootlegger that came in, again, we would have to have a look at this because I can't stand here right now and say, yes, we're going to do it. I'm just pointing out reality is...

The Member is correct. Bootlegging is widespread across the Northwest Territories, unfortunately. We would not like to see that, but it is a fact of life. I think the law enforcement have been doing a good job in trying to crack down on some of the illegal bootlegging or the illegal sale of alcohol. I think we see it quite regularly in the news now, the fact that they are posting pictures of alcohol that they have seized. That's a good start, and I think there are more people that are speaking up about those that are bringing in alcohol, and that is needed, those that bootleg alcohol, if we...

It is an indication of the use of cannabis across the Northwest Territories. I did expect that there was going to be a bit of a rush, and I thought that, once the rush was over, it would stabilize a bit, but early indicators are that it seems to be a product that is in high demand.

As far as the vendors go, it seems to be that there is a market for vendors. They may run into the same issues that we have. However, having said that, the regulations are out, so anybody who wants to be a vendor can put their application in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.