David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the Member’s comments. There is a correlation there with the cost of energy and developing the economy and whether or not businesses have that atmosphere or the environment to succeed in. Utility costs are something that we need to pay attention to certainly. Thank you.

The Member is correct; we have to look at opportunities for people to get involved in the tourism industry here in the Northwest Territories, especially in small communities, opportunities for young people to get involved, whether it’s as guides or servers or working the front desk at a hotel. It’s all in the hospitality industry and helps the tourism industry here in the Northwest Territories. Any opportunity to get some training for young people is something we should always be looking toward.

On the development of Doi T’oh Territorial Park, we are seeing some work continuing on remediation...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The mandate hasn’t changed. The reduction that the Member sees there is a result of the sunsetting of the mining MOU that happened. We continue to work with the three mines to move forward and try to identify a new approach. That work is going to continue.

Again, I appreciate the Member’s support. He’s shown unwavering support for the traditional economy since the time that I’ve been a Member. We’re happy at ITI to advance the traditional economy through programs like Take a Kid Trapping and the CHAP program. We’ve seen unprecedented growth in fur prices. Just for example, beaver up 111 percent, mink up 36 percent, muskrat up 84 percent. There’s tremendous opportunity for trappers around the Northwest Territories. We’ve doubled the grubstake and money that we can offer upfront to trappers in the territory. We’ve doubled the amount through the...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Our spectacular landscape, vibrant Aboriginal cultures, and beautiful arts and crafts are proving to be marketable attractions for visitors from around the world. With increased visitors, there are increased opportunities for our small and community-based business sector, which diversifies and strengthens our economy. Today I would like to speak about the progress we have made towards developing authentic Aboriginal tourism products in the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has provided significant investment over the last year to...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the Member’s observations on this. The most important thing is we continue to move forward, we find solutions, and the situation in Inuvik is not cut and dried. It is very complex. It is going to be difficult to find a solution, but I believe by working together we will find that solution and move forward.

We can’t take our eye off the opportunities like in hydro, biomass or solar. I think we continue to pursue those initiatives and eventually that reinvestment will have to happen in the area of alternative energy. We will have to identify money as...

Yes, it is, Mr. Chairman. In July 2011 the Minister of ITI appointed several Members to that committee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the permafrost scientists would be located and working out of the geoscience office located here in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess I need a little bit more clarification from the Member in terms of what exactly he wants to know we’re working on.

We know the status at any one time of the various projects that are underway across the Northwest Territories in the area of development and advancement. If there’s one in particular he wants an update on, we can provide that, but I’m not sure if he’s looking for a comprehensive view of all the projects that are ongoing or how that works. So maybe I’ll just go back to the Member for clarification on what he’s looking for. I’d be happy to provide it...

I thank the Member for that. The subject of community energy plans doesn’t fall necessarily under ITI’s mandate, but to my recollection most communities are completed through the Building Canada Plan their community energy plans. That question may be better suited maybe when MACA is before committee. But that’s my understanding. Thank you.