Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for the willingness to work with. I do have small communities which is not territory land, it's Commissioner's land. It's about elders, and, you know, all of a sudden, they're getting these lease things or lease agreements coming to them saying you've got to do a lease. They're going, well, we've never had to do it before. And then there's demand for payment on these lands, so, for the leases. So they're trying to be lawabiding citizens, but they can't afford it. So I've had some bands ask me: is there some way we can work out? I thank the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know the Minister gave me a commitment to give me the breakdowns of the regional costs of the ferries by the 29th; it's magically the 29th now. In regards to ferry operations, I notice that my colleague up in Tsiigehtchic and McPherson has got a nice little bit of an operation going till December. Has the department looked at the potential of doing the same thing in the Deh Cho? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I thank the Minister for his great answer. Yes, some of us who have been involved with this program understand the importance of it. Now, we've talked about the challenges of making this program successful. Can the Minister commit the department will look at increasing funding for this program, or add a coordinator position that will lead to more success for this program, not this year but for the next business plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that response. In regards to forced growth, how is that developed? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for the wellthoughtout answer. I'm looking forward to, with fiscal restraints and the challenges we face out there, that we can work with you or your department in getting these positions filled. Because I know two of those young ladies and, yes, they're very capable individuals, that do the job. So I'm hoping that will be something that we look at in the future business plans.

I don't know if this is the area, but a lot of the issues in regards to land leases and that, is this the area where I need to ask those questions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the deputy minister for his answers. It clears up a number of questions that I have had. There was a bunch of rock last time I went across. Is that a capital issue or a maintenance issue, that it is still sitting there? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi cho to the Minister for his answer, and I know the youth will appreciate hearing it, such as I do. Mr. Speaker, part of the Youth Ambassador Program is the promotion and showcasing of traditional games and knowledge. Can the Minister please advise this House how the department is looking at new training events to get more youth involved and preparing them to be able to showcase our traditional games and knowledge in future events, as our older performers -- or as our performers are now getting older?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister provide this information by region so we can see the comparison? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for his answer. It actually helps, but again it really hurts if we're losing a position in the region which I struggle with. I understand what you're trying to do. I guess my other big issue though is we have five, we're going to reduce it to three, how are we going to be able to pick which region gets these positions or is the department looking after a time to phase into the other two regions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was actually talking about the maintenance on it. Was that part of the $250K or with the other additions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.