Caroline Wawzonek

Obviously, government budgeting is dear to my heart, but we're about to go into the process of reviewing ITI's budget and reviewing ITI's proposals for going forward in the next year. I don't think this is a question of a dollar-for-dollar in the Department of ITI that is going to advance mineral exploration alone. I appreciate the effort to look for creative solutions, look for ways to advance this. It is something that is already one of the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly. All of us know that this continues to be an anchor industry, and everyone is seeking solutions to see it...

When that report came out, certainly, anytime there is a public statement of that kind, any kind of report-card-type document, we would certainly take that seriously and want to look at it and analyze it. I have actually already set up a meeting with the department to do exactly that. That said, Mr. Speaker, I also want to just ensure that the public messaging around what we are doing with our regulatory processes and the efforts within the department to provide pathfinding. There are staff specifically assigned to pathfinding, and there is already work being done to having a roadmap for those...

This should be really good news. The government is too easily told that we are siloed and don't work well together, but in fact, this is an occasion where, yes, there is information across departments. Multiple departments are high government information creators and drivers and users. The interdepartmental working group that includes the Bureau of Statistics, population, health, Environment and Natural Resources. There're ITI elements involved that have high use of information. This is an occasion where they are, indeed, working, and a very active group. Yes. Let me begin by certainly...

If only all the things that I read were in a briefing note, my life would be simple. No, this is not in the briefing note, Mr. Speaker, and it is being updated in real time. I can say right now, ISSS, which is responsible for the framework, is expecting to have that completed by fall of 2021, with the portal operational in 2022. I hesitate because, if there's any way that I can push that along a little bit, I certainly will. I am conscious that this is something that is a huge part of having a more open and transparent government. I do want to work towards having it available more quickly, but...

As I said, it just turns out by happenstance there is a meeting happening today at the SAO level. I will follow up on that and see where it gets to. There are staff across the South Slave who work on tourism.

Mr. Speaker, just a few years ago, I was told that, in fact, money had been advanced to the community of Enterprise to look at building visitor capacity. The project didn't go forward, but I certainly wouldn't want there to be any misunderstanding of the willingness of ITI to work with the community to see if they are interested in pursuing something and to see what funding might be...

To the extent that there can be support from ITI with economic development or support to individual businesses with respect to their business plans, whether it's through economic development type supports or whether it's through the BDIC, with respect to, for example, loans, I can certainly ensure and direct the department to reach out so that they have all the available supports there for them.

As far as the government actually stepping in to buy private market assets, I don't want to give any false hope that that is not likely to be something the government is going to be doing, but we are...

Yes, absolutely. Early on in the process of becoming a Minister, this is a policy that I wanted to have reviewed to understand better, and I agree. It is, as I said, a tool that can be utilized. It should be utilized towards the goal of being a representative work force, and if it's going to be a tool, then it should be better understood. I would certainly commit to bringing the concerns forward, but what's more, I will commit to looking for a way that we can make its use more transparent so that it is more understood how it actually works. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It certainly does.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Return to Written Question 22-19(2), I wish to table the following two documents: " Summary of GNWT Response to Dominion Diamond Mines Creditor Protection Process and Ekati Diamond Mine Sale;" and "Outstanding Payments Dominion Diamond Group of Companies/Arctic Canadian Diamond Company as of February 3, 2021."

As well, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: "Executive Summary - Public Procurement Policies for the Government of the Northwest Territories;" "Discussion Paper for the Review of Public Procurement Policies for the Government...

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that, as we focus this sitting on the government's budget, including how GNWT spending impacts the NWT economy and the role it can play in our economic recovery efforts, we are also beginning a territory-wide conversation about our government's procurement practices and policies. Procurement is a significant tool that can positively increase the benefits of government spending on the private sector and, as a result, on the economy as a whole.

Ensuring that government procurement and contracting maximizes benefits to residents and businesses is a priority established...