Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions will be for the Minister responsible for ITI. Currently, the GNWT has an Agriculture Strategy which is nearing its good-until-2022 expiry date. Can the Minister clarify the reference dated time frame of 2017 to 2022 with respect to the Agriculture Strategy? Is the department considering an update or a revision based on progress or lack of it over the last four years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am very happy to say that we certainly are planning to have a new strategy, and with respect to success or not, I can say that, when the strategy first began back in 2017, there were very few commercial producers. We are now numbering roughly eight to 10 with some significant growth in the area. We are gathering the information now, and I would expect that more formal engagements will happen beginning possibly as early as the end of this year and, if not, early in 2022 so that it is ready indeed to roll out in due course next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The agriculture strategy states that, in order to develop the agriculture sector, regulations, legislation, and policies are required at all levels of government to enable the sector to grow and function. Under current legislation, the NWT's agricultural sector has limited room to grow. Production of meats and fish are two areas of concern. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm what, if any, progress is being made with respect to addressing the issue of legislation and policy that is happening in our agricultural sector?
With respect to meat regulations, that work is right now actively taking place in my colleague's department, Health and Social Services, and that indeed is part of the mandate and, as such, is moving along and will be reported on in that regard. Beyond that, Mr. Speaker, there is also now, newly formed, the territorial agriculture agri-food association. That is an entity that is very active in this space and one that I would certainly commend producers to be involved with as an advocacy group to identify any other barriers that may exist. Last, Mr. Speaker, there is recently rolled out the red tape working group for small- and medium-sized businesses, which I suspect a number of the businesses in this sector would likely fall into that category. To the extent that they are facing continued barriers, I would urge them that, once that group starts rolling out, that they would please contact them so we can indeed address those barriers.
Capacity building opportunities are important. As a First Nations person, I find the best way to learn is always hands-on training that meets regional and local needs. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the Minister to consider ensuring that all communities throughout the Northwest Territories have access to a greenhouse and the tools required to support training and capacity building around agriculture.
I certainly am keen to see what can be done with respect to ensuring that we continue to grow this industry, not only in terms of its commercial value but also as far as it may impact on food security more generally. For now, Mr. Speaker, what I can say: if there is a community that is looking to have a greenhouse, looking to have access to some agricultural opportunities, I would urge them to speak to their local economic development officer or other ITI officer. There are programs and projects that can help support them, whether in terms of the training that may be needed or in terms of some community funding opportunities. I certainly would say again is that, if those are areas of interest, they should please reach out. We certainly have resources available.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I previously said, if we are expected to grow the industry, then we have to provide the support and tools required to make that happen. We can start with our institutions, such as corrections facilities. As both these facilities are under the responsibility of the same Minister, will the Minister of ITI commit to working with the Minister of ECE and Justice to establish small-scale greenhouses on institutional grounds to further the interests of the agricultural sector? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Those two departments, while under one Minister, have different areas, and they may not necessarily flow into the agriculture-commercial sector, for which ITI is responsible. Notwithstanding, Mr. Speaker, I was happy to discover very recently through my colleague that take a kid gardening is, in fact, a program that exists in schools across the Northwest Territories. Absolutely, I will commit to speaking to the Minister of ECE and the Minister of Justice to see what we can do to bring some synergy to this area and to agriculture more broadly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.
