Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just like the Member for Nahendeh asked questions about summer students every sitting, I have to ask questions about commercial fishing. I have some questions for the Minister of ITI. Earlier this year, the federal government commissioned a study on the future of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation. I know that those people conducting the study came to the Northwest Territories. They spoke with the department and they spoke with the fishermen. Because the NWT is the last territory or province legally obliged to deal with the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, I have a feeling that our input played quite a big role in this. I was told that this report would be ready by the fall. I would like to ask the Minister if we can get some details about what that report said. Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have had ongoing discussions on this issue with the department. As of today, we still have not received a report, but my understanding is we will have it in the coming days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That is an important report moving forward. We just approved a million four for the fish plants in Hay River. Is the Minister going to make that report public so that we can see what is in it?
My understanding in talking with the federal government on this report coming forward is that there is some sensitive information there that we might not be able to share publicly, but I believe, whatever we can share publicly, we will be able to do that.
Moving on to another fishing issue. Like I said, this House has been debating the supplementary estimates. We recently discussed $1.4 million for a fish plant in Hay River. I have a bunch of questions about this. I will just ask the Minister: what is going on with the fish plant in Hay River?
That is a very large question. It depends on which part I want to answer you, but first of all, we had 1.4 that we had in the budget and it is moving forward. The department in our conversations with the freshwater or the local fishing guys in Hay River, we decided that the Government of the Northwest Territories will proceed with this building.
Some of those reasons was the lack of access to capital and long stability for the industry. We believe that it is in the best interest of the fishing federation or for the fishermen in Hay River that we move forward with the plan. The Department of Infrastructure has actually taken a lead of this plant now in the last week or so. We have identified land within the community of Hay River that we want to do and it is in program and design phase right now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is going to be a GNWT-owned facility where the fishing strategy called for a contribution to the fishermen's federation and they would own this plant. I would like to know: what is the extent of partnerships with other organizations going forward, organizations such as the Fishermen's Federation in terms of the ownership and operation of this plant? Thank you.
As I have said, we work very closely with the Fishermen's Federation on this. Moving forward, it is agreed by both parties that the Government of the Northwest Territories would own the facility. They figure this is the best direction for the development of the industry and we will continue to work with the Fishing Federation on moving this initiative forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
