David Ramsay

Thank you. For employees that were affected by the discontinuation of service of the Merv Hardie, I’m certain that department officials were working with those employees. But again, for the specifics on what was offered to employees, that is something and a level of information that I don’t have with me today, but I’d certainly be more than happy to get that for the Member. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, at the Department of Transportation we’re looking for ways to work with communities, to work with industries. We have a track record of doing that. Certainly, if there are some economies of scale and an opportunity to work with the community of Fort Liard to get some work done, that’s something that we’ll certainly take under consideration. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, the contracts for O and M on Highway No. 7 would be maintained, and those dollars would be there to continue to maintain and operate Highway No. 7. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we would have to take a look at the policy in its entirety. There are businesses on paper that would look like they are northern but they’re not really northern. I’ve had examples brought to my attention on that. If we’re going to take a look at the policy, we should do that. It should be wholesale. A lot of companies have been grandfathered into the Business Incentive Policy. If it’s the will of this House to look at the Business Incentive Policy to make it stronger, to strengthen it, to ensure that you have to have property here in the Northwest Territories, you have to employ...

In talking to industry and to the department, we certainly understand that communication is key to the operation of the winter road in the Mackenzie Valley. I think there were a number of lessons learned this winter and this season. This season isn’t quite over but as we get into next season, I think a meeting, a readiness session on the use of the Mackenzie Valley winter road is certainly something we can look forward to helping undertake. Also, again, I think we need to continue that work with industry. I think there’s going to be even more activity taking place next winter, so the more...

I believe the policy does protect northern businesses. That’s what it’s intended for. Unfortunately, again, there are anomalies; there are situations where things happen. Again, if we want to get into a review to strengthen the Business Incentive Policy, that’s something that I want to work with the Members on the other side to see that, so they have some comfort that the policy is there to do what it is intended to do, and that is protect northern business.

We have what is called a Senior Management Preference Committee which oversees the policy and does review matters that come up that are...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I intend to drive the winter road as soon as session is over, weather permitting. Maybe the Member could accompany me on that journey. Any opportunity that I get to get into the Member’s riding and the Sahtu to talk about opportunities there, I would certainly be more than happy to take him up on his offer.

Just this morning we continued the dialogue with industry. I met with MGM this morning in regard to concerns about the winter road, and the regulatory environment and a number of other issues. We all need to be continuing that dialogue and working to develop those...

I agree with the Member on this. Again, it’s the first I’ve heard of it. I will ask the department about it. It’s a practice that, if it is taking 48 hours, that’s not acceptable. We need to be getting back to people much sooner than 48 hours. She has my commitment that I will follow this up immediately with the department.

I thank the Member for raising the issue of agriculture here in the House and how important it is to many of our communities here in the NWT. The government continues to support agriculture in the NWT through the Territorial Farmers Association and other programs that we provide.

I know we have this Growing Forward 2 Fund that we’ve signed off with the federal government. It is going to provide about $6 million here in the Northwest Territories for other programs related to agriculture and the development of our agricultural centre. I believe we are looking for a type of signature project...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for bringing this concern to my attention. The issue with the 48-hour waiting period for getting a callback, that’s news to me. It is certainly something that I take seriously, and I’ll certainly follow up with the department on whether or not that is the case each and every day. Forty-eight hours is a long period of time for somebody to wait for a callback, so we’ll certainly take a look at that practice.