Wally Schumann

I don't have that exact cost in front of me. I think a lot of this work is going to depend on the sediment samples that we get and the amount of dredging that we want to pursue. There is probably a small amount version that we can tackle to address this situation, but that only does a short-term addressment. The long-term addressment is probably in the millions of dollars.

As I have stated, this is a very important project to the Government of the Northwest Territories and residents going forward, and I believe, based on what the Member has just asked me, I would be prepared to send our staff in there and have an early conversation, not just with the Fort Resolution community, but with both Indigenous governments that represent everyone in the community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has laid it out pretty well there. When we initially went into this, we started a working group, the Harbour Restoration Working Group. A bunch of work and meetings have taken place with them on a harbour restoration plan. The Coast Guard has done sounding of the Hay River harbour. The military did a flyover and did some photographs for us. As we speak, an analysis of sediment is under way to give us a better idea around the environmental requirements and permitting that needs to be identified as we move forward on this, but I can update the House on...

Yes, I believe those conversations have taken place, and the department is looking at what we can do particularly around opening up some of these parks, particularly on the Ingraham Trail around the wintertime. It is a serious safety issue, I believe, with the amount of traffic that is on there, with the amount of loads that are going to the mines.

We have a number of tourists. Operators are well aware of the situation. They are trying to run safely and look after their customers, but one of the concerns is these independent tourists, if we want to call it that. They come here, they rent a...

We have the SEAs. That is what requires them to base their commitments on. That is what we try to hold them accountable to. At the end of the day, this is something that we want to see the union and the company work out, if possible. We are certainly concerned about it. We are willing to help, like I said, facilitate anything to help move this forward, but, at the end of the day, if they cannot come to an agreement to continue on with these 150 employees, labour law is the ultimate responsibility of the federal government, but we will keep an eye on this situation. I will certainly have...

As I said, we are spending $7 million on park infrastructure this year. In my notes, just in the North Slave, I think going forward for this capital year, we are going to spend roughly $1.384 million in the North Slave region. There is going to be money spent at Fred Henne Park, Prosperous Lake boat launch, Powder Point Territorial Park, Fred Henne kitchen shelter, Prelude Territorial Park boat launch, North Arm Territorial Park in the Monfwi area, and Prelude Lake Territorial Park loop D needs to be finished up, as well. So there is significant money that is going to be spent in the North...

No, I have not received any official notice from the Dominion Diamond Mines about this situation. What I can update this House, I did have a conversation with Dominion Diamonds at one point a number of months ago around the concern of high absentee of employees at the site. He said that, at that point, it was something of a concern of theirs, and when I'd seen it in the paper, that is the first time I have actually seen it in writing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, May 27th to June 2nd is Tourism Week across Canada. Tourism Week provides an opportunity to highlight the tourism sector and the economic opportunities that accompany it. Tourism is a key part of the Government of the Northwest Territories' commitment to advance regional economic growth and diversification.

This week, events and activities across our territory will bring people together to celebrate the places and experiences that encouraged 100,000 visitors to join us North of 60 last year.

Mr. Speaker, the heart of our booming tourism industry is its people, NWT residents who make...

I can see if we can pull those numbers together. As all Members know, we are updating all Members on this tomorrow after the rise of the House, and I will see if I can pull together the numbers around those questions at the time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I spoke about the Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik highway last week, we said the road was under substantial completion when we decided to open it in November. I don't have the exact percentage, but I believe it was probably roughly 95 to 96 per cent complete. Based on that and having a look at the situation, as I have stated in this House, about opening the ice road, we took advantage of the situation for the winter months to open this highway. We have had 60 to 70 visitors per day, as I have said in this House, with no issues. The communities of Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik had...