Wally Schumann

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.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Could we take a twominute break, please?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

I think I got this right. Actually, I am going to defer it to the director.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I think I want to get right into it. It sounds like they have got a number of questions, so let's do it.