Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Next on my list is Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Some of this is going to sound the same. Like I said before, Transportation plays a key role in our economic future. Transportation and opening up our communities is super important to our ability to have a strong economy; strong, healthy people. Highways are obviously a critical aspect just like our airports. One area that I mentioned in my opening comments or opening comments on your general remarks on your opening comments was the Deh Cho loop. I have driven it. It was a wonderful drive. Fortunately, I think I was driving at the one time of year that the Liard...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of quick questions on this section. When Education, Culture and Employment was in front of us I asked some questions about some of the things you’re doing. One of the things you’re doing is supporting arts and culture, obviously through things like the NWT Arts Society and whatnot, and I’m about to say something I know the Minister has heard from me before, but when it comes to tourism supporting the arts is a great advantage. I mean, people are looking for reasons to come to the North, people are looking for activities and, yes, we have aurora and, yes, we...

Mr. Chairman, some of this might sound similar to a conversation I had with DOT earlier today. Ongoing improvements to our North Slave transportation system are critical to supporting the mine sector and the Slave Geological Province and economic development projects across the Northwest Territories and western Nunavut. What is ITI doing with industry and DOT and Aboriginal groups to improve winter road access to Tlicho communities in the Slave Geological Province? I know it is ultimately a DOT responsibility, but given the economic opportunities of these road realignments with Aboriginal...

Thank you for that. I hope that the department keeps moving forward on that. Just for the record, we talked about tourism. I am interested in tourism. You mentioned tourism, but tourism is not the only area that would benefit from an extended runway. Exploration in the Northwest Territories, mining in the Northwest Territories could all benefit from a more or longer and more substantial runway. This is more of just a comment, but I think work does need to be done in this area.

In light of the fact that we just signed an agreement-in-principle, we are moving forward with devolution. Our future...

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. I have nobody else on my list for 12-22, Industry, Tourism and Investment, activity summary, energy, grants and contributions, contributions, $5.500 million.

Does committee agree that we go back to general comments?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Actually, I did have one question and I just about missed it. This is the revenue summary. Theoretically, the bridge will be operational in November, which means that there are four months that we might expect revenue. Am I just missing it or is it on this page somewhere?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Minister McLeod.

I will now go to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment to respond to the general comments.