Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we have said, we have talked about it in the House a number of times on how we are going to bring LPs forward. We believe that we can get the job done within the life of this Legislative Assembly, and we have a number of initiatives that are coming forward as the Member has said in his opening comments, and we will be bringing those forward in a timely manner; and we believe we will be able to do that in the length of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to the Member for asking that question. Actually, I have to approve it by April 1st, and then it will be tabled in the summer. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll redirect that to the deputy minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. From my understanding, the $160,000 is going to be hard to spend, the way things are looking right now. As we move forward, as the industry grows and picks up and diversifies the economy and brings bigger production films to the Northwest Territories, just like anything else, we will have to review it and see if we need to put more money into it. Right now, we are comfortable with that amount. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, this is another program that we believe is important to diversifying our economy in the Northwest Territories. Last year, over $2 million in direct revenues was realized through the traditional economy. Over $1 million was paid to NWT trappers last year in revenues and advances and grubstakes under the Mackenzie Valley Fur Program. Over $200,000 was paid out to traditional artists last year, generating an estimated $900,000 in product sales. So we believe it is a great program, and we will continue to support that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's correct. It would be serviced out of the Hay River office.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The reason it is in Yellowknife is because it is looking after the Northwest Territories as a whole. It is a panterritorial position, so that position is located here to do that stuff. As the Member alluded to, we talked about it in the House, the position is going to be getting reprofiled in Hay River to look after the fishery and agriculture strategy, and they also have the full support of the superintendent of ITI in this House, who also works on all these files and helps direct some of that stuff. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The answer is no, we're not at this present time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll try to respond to all five of them, I believe. As I've said, SEED, we're having a look at it. My concern was when I got the portfolios, are we making the best bang for our buck, and I will not commit to a review right at this point. I'm going to have a look at it for sure, and if there's a need for it we will definitely be having a look at that, but I'm paying close attention on how we're spending SEED for sure and getting value for our money.

The fishing industry, as you know, we're going to table our strategy moving forward. I think the amount of money that we...