Robert Hawkins

That’s fine. Will that information be passed on to Members in that particular case to find out what the money is attributed to? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, wouldn’t it seem reasonable, if I may ask, that she would know what her mandate is and be asking for money that would fall within it first rather than coming to the Assembly and asking for money and figuring out how it fits later. Wouldn’t that seem reasonable? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Speaker mentioned on page 3 of his opening comments that there was an additional amount granted to the Commissioner of Official Languages, $100,000. I’m just curious if the Speaker could outline what type of work or new initiatives the Commissioner will be taking on. Thank you.

Undoubtedly the Minister and I are certainly on the same page on this particular issue. I believe in the reduction initiative. That shouldn’t be confused over the concern that’s been raised to me, the fact that paper bags have been included. That’s really the particular issue, which is what type of consultation specifically pointed to paper bags would be part of the reduction initiative that the 25 cent levy would be applied to them outside of the average special interest group which was fully in support of banning practically everything.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about the concerns, but certainly with support, for the single bag program that really I think demonstrates good environmental stewardship and I think makes a lot of sense when it comes to plastic bags. I’ve heard a lot of people, if not every person I’ve spoken to on this particular issue, that they do support the initiative that is targeting plastic bags.

Mr. Speaker, where the concern arises from people is many people have been shocked, or certainly taken by surprise in one manner or another, that paper bags are included. I’m...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about the GNWT’s Waste Reduction and Recovery Program expansion. This program has been part of Managing This Land Strategic Initiative to meet the 16th Assembly’s goals on sustainable environment. This is a program I support.

One month ago the government implemented the second phase of its Single-Use Retail Bag Program. This program applies not only to grocery stores but also to all retail stores in the Northwest Territories. Therefore, outside of a few prescribed examples, every bag will now be charged a 25 cent environmental fee.

The purpose of...

I’ll accept that. I just want to lastly say that it’s sad. I wish they were linked. Although it’s a sad case and we have to make sure that as it isn’t, we have to define it that way, but the Languages Commissioner isn’t in the education business of language. I can’t figure out why. It’s just the way it’s written, but I look forward to seeing the detail the Speaker has said he’d send. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My concern and the Minister’s answers are not necessarily so dissimilar, but there is a divide between the two particular issues. I can’t argue in the sense of saying that he’s incorrect about a booth at a convention, whatever convention it may or may not be that they happen to send someone to. There is a big difference between parking a booth and saying would you like to come to the Northwest Territories as opposed to calling organizations, challenging them and trying to see if we can actively meet their needs so they can draw their membership in a very active and...

I want to thank the Minister for that particular answer. The fact is that industry is concerned, that being people in the tourism industry as well as the hotel industry, and believe that more could be done. The Yukon is leading this particular type of initiative with a very focused convention bureau. There are hopes in the tourism industry that ITI could support a similar initiative and establish an office in the NWT Tourism office to target and market the North as a place to have conventions. Has the Minister considered that particular concept?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about the need for a convention bureau in the Northwest Territories. There is a strong need for our market to be looking towards that direction, to get out their campaign and draw in the meetings and conventions to the North.

In the past this type of discussion has led to the need for a convention centre here in Yellowknife, but it’s become more and more obvious that if you build it, they won’t necessarily come. So the convention centre idea has to be put on hold, but the foundation of any good and successful convention centre needs to be laid down...