Robert C. McLeod

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.

In the first four days of operation of legal cannabis, there was about $129,600 worth of sales. $10,900 of this was online sales, and sales took part in all regions of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, I had the opportunity to drive the new Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway to Tuktoyaktuk to take part in a celebration of a hundred years for Mrs. Persis Gruben. It was actually a great celebration put on by the family for a great lady that got a great story. I enjoyed listening to all the stories there.

I want us to thank the people of Tuktoyaktuk for their great hospitality. I also want to say Hi to Sandy and Mary, who informed me that they watch us a lot on TV, so I’m sure they are watching today. It was a fantastic celebration. I think they had...

I do, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No.3, 2018-2019" and "Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2018-2019." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the negotiations are ongoing. The negotiations will conclude with the signing of the land transfer agreement with Parks Canada as well as other agreements with IGOs as required. The GNWT, now this is a different word, is "confident," instead of "hopeful" is confident, that these agreements will be concluded within the life of the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the establishment of TDN does remain a priority of the GNWT and a mandate for the Department of ENR. Regarding TDN establishment, we are in active negotiations with Lutselk'e, other Indigenous governments, as part of Parks Canada. All the negotiations are proceeding in a timely fashion. We are hopeful that all agreements will be signed off in 2019, prior to the end of the life of the 18th Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.