Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after last evening's discussion on sports and youth, I think the Minister of MACA knows the importance of supporting youth in their endeavours to go on to greater things in sports.

So, Mr. Speaker, with respect to sporting events within the NWT, will the Minister of MACA confirm if there's any requirement for a proof of COVID vaccination prior to participation? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I recall there being a discussion, I think, at one time about reporting of, I guess, the RCMP or the head office here to somewhere in Alberta now. Is that something that's happening, or if you can maybe provide some background information or some context to it? No?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I was just looking at the 2021 or 20212022 actuals, and it's showing at $1.55 million, and then in the main and revised we're looking at $429,000. What's the big change there? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk about the First Nations policing program. Can you provide a status on that and how many people are in that program? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk about, I guess, the arts and one thing I still see that there's a need for is to secure naturally tanned hides for crafts and garments and those type of things. I'm just wondering what the government is or the department's doing to ensure that happens so that we don't have you know, don't have the artists having to go south to look for tanned hides that aren't from the Northwest Territories or are commercially tanned? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm who is ultimately responsible for the safety of those persons using student bussing? Is it the department, the DEA, or the bussing contractor? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, safety of children while taking student bussing transportation is important to all of us and more so, you know, when it comes to the smaller children who during the cold winter months, you know, maybe missed their bus stop and not quite sure where they are.

So will the Minister of ECE confirm who is responsible for developing student bussing policies? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. One other area here is you know, where I can see expansion is the border there to Highway No. 1. You know, again, we got beautiful, you know, booth there or building there for tourists and we've got places for people to stay. But I think that could be expanded. But the issue there is that it comes down to power. And right now we're generating power either with diesel generators or sometimes with other sources. And we have Alberta we have power there going I'm not sure how far it goes into. If it goes to Indian Cabins or a little bit this side. And I would like, I...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Next question here. You know, I guess last week we had the agri conference here in Yellowknife. So I'm just wondering, you know, we talk about agritourism and that. How much interest is there by the Indigenous governments or persons or businesses, I guess, in providing that type of service? Because, you know, when I look at it, when I look at tourism, and it doesn't seem that's something that Indigenous people may want to do. So I'm just and I may be wrong, so I just want to be corrected if I am, to see if you know, how much interest there is. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm that he will have his department ensure that all DEAs have in place a comprehensive student bussing policy that sets out the rules and responsibilities for the DEA, bussing contractor, students, parents or caregivers, and any other, you know, people or things that would be included in there? Thank you.