Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. Basically, this $12.38 million goes towards projects that are accessed probably mainly by residents and businesses, private businesses? Is that correct? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to go to page 251, highway operations. I'm just wondering if any of that expenditure relates to new technology to address any issues with our highways? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The question I have now is for smaller communities. I am just wondering if the research is being done to see the savings in the smaller communities, as well? Because I know that we look at the Housing Corporation and we say they should sometimes upgrade their houses, make them airtight, and all this. That causes mould problems. It causes a whole bunch of things which we pay for down the road, and then there are really no cost savings. I just want to make sure that what we're doing here isn't creating more problems that will cost us in the end, anyway. If the Minister...

Capacity building opportunities are important. As a First Nations person, I find the best way to learn is always hands-on training that meets regional and local needs. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister to consider ensuring that all communities throughout the Northwest Territories have access to a greenhouse and the tools required to support training and capacity building around agriculture.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. We are looking at total contributions of $12.388 million, and I am just wondering what percentage of that amount stays in Yellowknife for Yellowknife projects versus what ends up in the communities for support to the communities. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions will be for the Minister responsible for ITI. Currently, the GNWT has an Agriculture Strategy which is nearing its good-until-2022 expiry date. Can the Minister clarify the reference dated time frame of 2017 to 2022 with respect to the Agriculture Strategy? Is the department considering an update or a revision based on progress or lack of it over the last four years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. That has always been a concern of mine, is that we are hiring southern firms to basically crew our shipyard terminals and our boats, and I am just wondering if the department, I know they put the contract out, and I think it's only out in a year. I don't know if there are any option years in it, but maybe the Minister can comment on, going forward, crewing both the shipyard and the vessels, if we're looking at a contract being tendered in a year from now, or are they going to go to auctioneers? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Going down to expenditures and shipyard, terminal operations, the $8.7 million, what makes up that $8.7 million? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Now, just moving down to shipyard, $3.4 million, what makes up that revenue? Is it work on other vessels or supply and material? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just previously, we were talking about energy initiatives, so I'm wondering if there's any planning with respect to converting some of these ferries to electric and with a diesel backup because the amount of diesel they go through even though they're running for part of the year, it may be something that is worth trying. I would like to ask the Minister if that's being considered, and if not, why? Thanks, Madam Chair.