Wally Schumann

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The manufacturing strategy that we tabled gives us an opportunity, I think, to reimagine how we approach supporting manufacturing in the Northwest Territories. It is an opportunity for us to possibly rethink how we re-categorize manufacturers and look at new policy ideas that could help bring more businesses to the manufacturers in the NWT and local manufacturers as well, but also use it to build a stronger relationship with the manufacturing community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When we consider new crosswalks anywhere in the communities, or in particular on the highway system, there are a number of factors that are involved. We have to figure in the projected traffic flows, the type of traffic, the volume of traffic, the width of the highway, the speed limit, all these sorts of things, but we also sit down with the community and talk to the RCMP about these types of things. I can commit to having the department have a conversation with the Town of Hay River and the RCMP for consideration.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there is a difference between the two lightings at the two crossings in Hay River. The one that we just put up at the Hay River Hospital has the latest technology that has been introduced right across the country. Moving forward, the department has a program that we are going to install the latest version within this fiscal year at this crossing at the Red Rooster. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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.

If I remember correctly, this was passed in the House as part of our budget of last year. The Member is well aware that the winter ferry operations were put into place to help sustain the energy crisis that was possible with the Ikhil well. It's been proven now that this is not the case. Suppliers of energy, particularly propane, have been put into place to mitigate any possible shortage of this. We will continue on with what we promised to do in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I will get the department to pull that information together and supply it to the Member.

Mr. Speaker, our territory is blessed with a resilient, ingenious manufacturing community. Manufacturing is a small but important industry that has high potential for the Northwest Territories and is an important part of our government's commitment to diversify our economy to give our residents more opportunity for success. Manufacturing contributes tens of millions of dollars annually and contributes nearly 150 jobs to our economy each year. The expansion and growth of our manufacturing sector often offers a means to diversify the economy and encourage greater economic development and...