Rocky Simpson

With respect to the fish plant, where are we on looking at going forward with the construction of it? I know it was stalled because of pricing, so I am just wondering if we have got a plan in place. I hear rumours, and I just kind of want to get the straight goods from the Premier or the Minister. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The other thing that was brought up to me, as well, is that some of the producers hire people and they are paying basically minimum wage. They are wondering if there is any financial assistance they can get to offset those wages for workers. The workers may not be there eight hours a day, but they are just looking for some options. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess the question was: the meat inspection regulations, are they still relevant today? I think they were in place when we had a pig farm in Hay River, and there was processing going on. Thank you, Madam Chair.

In Hay River, the family support centre is trying to, over the past the couple of years, they have been trying to get a housing project off the ground, and again, non-profit limited resources and running into a bit of a problem. I know the Housing Corporation has been assisting, but will the Minister of housing structure the department to assist the Hay River Family Support Centre with their co-investment application, as well?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome and recognize Colette Langlois, the Ombud for the NWT, and I think she is a constituent of mine in Hay River South. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess when this first came up and there was talk about the foundational review, I was under the impression that it would be to take a look at Aurora College and make that stronger. Then, for some reason, it morphed into a university, and I am not sure why. I wasn't happy with that at first. Now I have looked at it. I have looked at it over time, and I look back at my life, I guess, because I did go south. I am proud to say I graduated. I went to my grade one to 13 here in the Northwest Territories, and then, I went south for nine years to school. Part of that was in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past week I witnessed and participated in a decision-making process where there appeared to be a misunderstanding with respect to a matter that would provide housing to approximately 42 people in Yellowknife; a misunderstanding that blew up in the press, and one that could have easily been avoided if this government gave serious thought to the benefit of the project, a project with many moving parts.

I give credit to the Yellowknife Women's Society, who identified a serious need in the community and have identified a potential solution to address and action this...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess the other area that we don't tap into, for whatever reason, is through immigration and doctors and professionals from other countries. Why is that? I guess I know why it is, but I want to hear it from you why that is and what we are going to do about it or what we can do about it, working in conjunction with the federal government. Thank you, Madam Chair.

That's one yes. For the second yes, is she willing to direct her department to immediately start building a business case to make that happen?

Thank you, Madam Chair. A comment, I guess, to the Minister of ITI is that I think it's important that, when she does come to Hay River, she meets, you know, one-on-one with the businesses. We don't need bureaucracy there, except for me. That's what I would ask, so that there is a frank discussion and you hear what they are saying. Because you have to hear both sides, at the end of the day, and that's all I ask. Thank you.