Wally Schumann

Manufacturing is a relatively small part of our economy in the Northwest Territories, but it is a very important one, I believe, particularly with the background that I have. It has high potential. The stats that I have been receiving from the department is, for every million dollars of output from a manufacturer in NWT, it creates more jobs, and these jobs are well-paid jobs compared to other industries in the Northwest Territories.

So we think it is of great importance, and a good use of our time and resources, to look at how we can support the diversification of our economy. Thank you, Mr...

Yes, we are absolutely looking how we can expand the manufacturing sector across the Northwest Territories. In fact, our team was recently in Norman Wells as of a couple days ago engaging with stakeholders and residents in the community to hear what we need to build a dry manufacturing in the Sahtu and what is possible there and what kind of ideas are brought forward. We will be doing this across every region in the Northwest Territories.

Yes, I will keep the Member informed as this progresses. Just as a note, if there is a consideration of doing something, adding a crosswalk to a highway system in the Northwest Territories, the cost is approximately $40,000 and takes 12 weeks to complete. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This is correct. We are going to be installing the new flashing beacons that are the LED ones similar to the or exactly the same as the ones at the hospital, but we will also be changing the panels that house those lights.

Mr. Speaker, our government believes we can foster a future in which agriculture entrepreneurs have the tools to succeed and each region can grow and harvest locally produced food. The Northwest Territories Agriculture Strategy is the blueprint with which we intend to grow the economic viability of our agriculture sector. The revised mandate commits this government to expanding the agriculture sector by implementing this strategy, improving access to agricultural lands, updating agricultural funding programs, and supporting training for commercial farmers. The strategy outlines the actions we...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Economic Opportunities Strategy: Connecting Businesses and Communities to Economic Opportunities – Performance and Measures Report, 2016-2017" and "Grants and Contributions Results Reports 2016-2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I can certainly talk to the department and see whether we can release publicly to the Member.

I would not say it is historically. This has only been going on for a few years. We work very closely with all the energy companies and the food companies in the region to make sure the supplies are in in a timely manner and updating them on the closure coming this fall year on the ferry services, and we will continue to work closely with industry and the residents in the area on the ferry closure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have to get the details on where all the equipment is, I believe it is a new purchase, some of this stuff, and to which communities it will be allocated. I will get that to the Member.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to address the Member's question. He is concerned about consultation and how we are reaching out. As we said, we are going out there. We are going to put out a document on what we have heard. I think we are actually going to do the key elements paper outlining the policy potential changes that could be out there. We are also probably going to go out, I imagine, for a second round of input. There is going to be a lot of time for people to have their say in this. Like I said, we need to get this right, and it is one of the more important ones that we need to...