Kieron Testart

I can review the report, Mr. Chair, thank you. I note one of the complaints I guess or criticism of our otherwise spectacular and ever growing tourism market is there’s not enough things to do in our communities. I think this contribution could bear a lot of fruit in developing our tourism market by having more attractions and drawing more people in. Has the department taken a look at how to use this funding to kind of produce more tourism draws in our communities and get more people coming? For instance, just going back to the convention bureau, our convention space is rather limited; we don...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. For clarification, does the convention bureau also do work in Yellowknife or is it primarily focused on the communities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I asked the Minister some questions about the Mining Incentive Program the other day. We have heard in several statements it is a great program that generates a lot of economic activity in the exploration sector. I also asked if this amount would be increased. I note that it is staying the same in this budget, and the ministry indicated that the long-term plan for the Mining Incentive Program is to expand it. Can the Minister just confirm that that is the department’s perspective of this very successful program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, it would appear the Minister doesn’t have a lot of these details readily available for Members of this House and for members of the public. I would strongly encourage that we resolve this with a real plan for what this research centre is going to look like and communicate this new resource to the public. In fact, when we’re looking for efficiencies perhaps we could find them, but how much money is this going to save in the end, Mr. Speaker? It seems like there’s still a lot of details, but how much money will closing the library save? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the department indicates that it will be replacing the library with a new research centre. Can the Minister give us more detail about what this research centre is going to be all about? Are we talking about a few surplus computers in a dimly-lit room or is this something more substantial? Thank you.

Are those 150 clients receiving the full amount of the allocated funding? The $900,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding of consumer choice would be that there is a choice given. The purpose is to house people and they have a choice in where they are being housed, not forced into housing. I don’t think that is one of the principles at all. By providing a rent subsidy, as per most established Housing First models, you give clients more choices than a handful of, I think the Minister previously provided, 30 semi-independent housing units. That is where I am finding the most difficulty with calling these Housing First units. I don’t take issue with transitional supportive...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Perhaps I didn’t frame the question well enough. I am less interested in the funding or the principles of the funding, I suppose. For the semi-independent Housing First units that the department is committing to, are those included in that $600,000 transitional support housing line item? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to the Minister for clarifying that. I think that’s a very interesting example, and in the context of food security and traditional activities, that’s a very important piece of the puzzle that I wouldn’t have considered, so I appreciate the Minister sharing that with us. I think this is a way that our government can be a leader on this is if we make those kinds of decisions that listen to our people, and especially, it reinforces that nation-to-nation dialogue that’s going to be so important for Canada moving forward. I wish her all the best in this approach. I...