Jane Groenewegen

I call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sorry that I didn’t get a chance to really conclude my Member’s statement today on the theme that I was going on and I really didn’t think it was fair to leave everybody hanging overnight. Also, as I mentioned earlier, tomorrow is Anti-Bullying Day, so I thought I’d better get my comments in today.

We’re coming up soon to the midway point for the 17th Legislative Assembly. We’re just a little past the midway point of this particular session. This is where everybody is tested during the budget session, where Ministers are put to the test as they appear with their...

I think that it’s safe to say that agriculture is catching on across the Northwest Territories. We’ve always had the greenhouse in Inuvik. We hear wonderful stories coming out of Norman Wells. I think the real impetus and the real push for agriculture in the Northwest Territories, I have to give credit to the folks from Hay River who have kept this little struggling organization of the TFA alive, and have actually put their actions where their words are and have started market gardens and all kinds of different endeavours in that area.

I’d like to ask the Minister, does he not think that it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. We have an amazing group of people in Hay River who are highly interested in agriculture. I know the Minister has received a briefing from a very enthusiastic young lady, who has a market garden in Hay River, by the name of Jackie Milne who is now the president of the NWT Farmers Association. Ms. Milne has come up with an outline for training so that she can share her knowledge with others and encourage more interest in the idea of growing our own food, which we know is very, very possible here...

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. We were on page 8-31, community wellness and social services, operations expenditure summary, $89.259 million. Mr. Dolynny.

Where we left off yesterday, we were dealing with the Department of Health and Social Services. I would like to ask the Minister if he would like to bring witnesses into the Chamber.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you. Is the committee agreed?

Yes, record noted. Thank you. But sometimes when, like, he’s so honest about it, he’s not a good poker player. Sometimes it’s becoming overwhelming and he says that I wish to do better and I strive to know more about the issues and give my colleagues a good answer. I appreciate the fact that he is very real. We all have a ways to go to learn all the topics.

Our Minister responsible for Public Works and Services and Human Resources, comes to us from a background in the public service. I find Mr. Abernethy very responsive. He’s a critical thinking person. You don’t have to say, “Do you know what...