Daniel McNeely

Thanks to the Minister for that reply. It was really encouraging when I witnessed the opening ceremony this past Thursday in one of the schools here, the William McDonald School I believe it was. It was really inspiring to see children from all of the communities, the remote communities, coming into the capital. Just the excitement of coming into the capital and being able to go to McDonald's is a privilege. That bonding is taken back home through the games, and I really could commend the Minister in supporting the continuation of the social foundation.

My next question is: what else does MACA...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 2019 Traditional Games Championship. Mr. Speaker, as you know, the Government of the Northwest Territories offers many diverse programs and services. Together, the departments, boards, and agencies take care of our infrastructure, deliver healthcare, maintain public housing, power our homes, and much more.

These are big, important things, but the GNWT also helps Northerners take care of the little things, and sometimes even these little things are valuable. I want to talk about one today.

This past weekend, the 2019 Traditional Game Championship, sponsored and led by the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, maybe if the department could work with the Department of Health in providing some consultation education sessions, either at the public level or at the school level, in the coming fiscal year. I put that out as a suggestion to the department. There is still time before this budget kicks in. You have got $308,000 there for that, and I imagine it could be shared on a 50/50 basis with the Health Department. Increasing the resources there would address targeting all 33 communities.

My next question is on the RCMP participation. You have $1.3 million to allow forced...

This is more of a comment here. I look forward to working with the Minister as we go through the budget deliberations on funding allocations to support this foundation. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Carrying on to my questions for the Minister of MACA on sports, my first question, Mr. Speaker: the Traditional Games Championship is led by the Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT. How does MACA support this organization? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently, it was announced that two satellite operators received an interim licence to operate receivers at the Inuvik satellite station facility.

Mr. Speaker, this is good news and will hopefully pave the way for continued expansion of the satellite station and additional global customers for the Mackenzie Valley fibre link.

Mr. Speaker, the government's investment in the fibre line was significant. This communication backbone should help the economic diversification of our territory and improve service delivery in the communities along the Mackenzie Valley...

Thanks for that reply there. I am glad to hear there are efficiencies from the process, that we are learning and benefiting. My question is: what is our government doing to take full advantage of the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up to my statement earlier, my first question to the Minister of Finance is that the recent approval for the licensing for the operators for the Inuvik Satellite Station was good news. This has taken some time. Can the Minister explain why the approval has taken so long? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question to the Minister is: with the experiences to date on reviews of engagement or monitoring, is the Minister of Finance of the opinion that this is a good investment, with the experiences to date and the cash flow to date and the signed customers on the system?

Thanks for the reply here. My next question to the Minister is: what is the GNWT doing to work with the federal government to ensure this process is improved?