Katrina Nokleby

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Member for her attention to this. I think we both share a common interest in seeing our businesses succeed. That being said, one of the foundations that is expected for our government is that our programs are fair and equal to everyone, especially in the situations where the resources are limited. We're very conscious of supporting one business in a market over one of its competitors. We are equally as conscious, though, of how we support businesses in Yellowknife compared to businesses in other communities. I recognize the point the Member is...

As part of the transition with the regional superintendents, it is my understanding that the new superintendent did visit the camp. However, I don't know when the date of that was. I am disappointed to hear that the employees at the camp are not feeling supported or enough interaction with senior management, so I commit to the Member that, not only will senior management go, I will also go to the camp. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following three documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 45-19(2): Tlicho All-Season Access Road Contract"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 85-19(2): Tlicho All-Season Road"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 187-19(2): National Trade Corridor for Frank Channel Bridge." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

ITI and ECE share responsibility to support the arts and fine crafts. We are currently working with ECE to finalize an updated strategy to guide and inform our government's support of the arts sector in the future. We do have a variety of commercial operators who sell and showcase art. We also showcase regional artists in our artist displays at the airports and in our parks. I do commit to the Member to have a conversation with my department about ensuring that there is commercial space in every community.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ITI supports the business of arts to the tune of $1.6 million every year for a variety of projects. Our regional program delivery routinely includes support for the marketing, promotion, and delivery of arts initiatives. In addition to providing funding support, our regional offices provide regular marketing support for artists, such as making business cards, helping to update online profiles, and assisting during craft fairs in a non-COVID era. We have a micro-business program under SEED that provides funds to purchase materials, up to $5,000 over three years, and no...

I am certainly willing to follow up on this matter with Minister of ECE. ITI, and I personally, recognize the value of our traditional arts and crafts. I have been supportive of our jewellery makers for quite a while now. Passing on the traditional knowledge is a very valuable and needed thing in the Northwest Territories, and I'm very happy to support initiatives like this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

ITI is in the business of helping Northwest Territories businesses and the Northwest Territories economy grow and prosper. If a Northwest Territories resident has a legal and viable business plan and meets the required qualifications, ITI supports, programs, and services are there to be accessed. When it comes to a tannery, I understand that there is an initiative being pursued by our South Slave regional office and a project that Fort Providence is leading. The department has supported a pre-feasibility and business plan for this work.

Thank you, Madam Chair. There will be a reply to the standing committee coming this session. Right now, Industry's concerns are more around surviving than ensuring that our new regulations have been developed. We do have some contract dollars, as mentioned earlier, that we will be putting toward this; however, as we have many things on the go at this time, this one has had to sit back slightly as we deal with other COVID-impacted areas in our department. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. All that was stated is that there was a five-year plan done. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Currently, I don't know if we're looking down that, specifically. It doesn't sound like, from my deputy minister's response, that it is one. Hay River is not a thermal community. A lot of times, we are exploring LNG as an alternate to heavier hydrocarbon-intensive fuels such as diesel. If we have a nonthermal community, I don't believe that the push is there as much for an LNG-type diesel replacement. Thank you, Madam Chair.