Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, agriculture is a renewable resource sector activity which needs this government’s attention. Since 1995, the Territorial Farmers' Association has been asking this government to develop and adopt a comprehensive agriculture policy. Many things affecting agriculture fall within the mandate of the territorial government. It’s fine to tell communities to take the initiative to develop their own policies, but the GNWT has the responsibility to create a policy as a framework within which municipal jurisdictions can operate.

Agriculture has met with relative indifference, lack of interest, and unapologetic ignorance for the most part. That’s been made clear by some of the most absurd comments of Ministers past, like the infamous statement defining his understanding of agriculture from a certain Minister who said, "What’s agriculture in the North? Some guy growing two potatoes in Fort Smith?"

The Territorial Farmers' Association has worked very hard to bring attention and awareness to the potential and challenges for agriculture in the North, but it seems like we still have a ways to go, as evidenced by a comment from one of my colleagues this morning when I shared the topic of my Member’s statement who said, "What’s that? Two farms in Hay River?" Interestingly, in fact, the membership of the TFA is from many communities, including as far away as Inuvik where they have a thriving greenhouse operation.

The benefits of producing agri-foods in the Northwest Territories are extensive. It creates economy in the renewable resource sector; it lends to our commitment to a diversified economy; it achieves a level import substitution and, consistent with environmental stewardship, reducing the cost of importing food as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with getting that food to us. Agriculture gives us control to ensure that we consume healthy food when we control its production. Agriculture is also a key component in our ability to be self-reliant and self-sustaining.

I look forward to working with our new Minister of ITI, who already has a considerable knowledge of this industry through his previous involvement as a deputy minister. I also feel encouraged to have Mr. Bromley as an ally in these efforts, who is such an advocate for measures which address responsible stewardship of our environment.

Three specific things that our government could do to support agriculture would be: developing a policy for farm equipment to use our public highways without having to be licensed and insured under the Motor Vehicles Act; the revision of our Property Assessment and Taxation Act that would enable communities to tax properties which are used for agriculture and residential purposes at an affordable rate; and…Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. A third thing would be a program for a tax rebate for fuel purchased for agricultural pursuits. We have fertile tracts of land, long growing seasons, proponents willing to participate, and ready local markets for agricultural products. All we need now is the serious support of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause