Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the Minister for her reply and outlining the legislative process and the level of consultation that might occur. She seems to be suggesting that this side of the House would kind of determine the timeline and how fast perhaps the turnaround of the draft legislation could be prepared.

But, you know, if we had this way on this side of the House, one of the initiatives that has been outstanding is the progress in terms of dealing with highway emergency. Would this department, in terms of engaging stakeholders, including fire departments and...

Usually in a legislative process the way that I think we understand it on this side of the House is that there's an issue and the department begins research, as the Minister has stated, that then there's a legislative proposal that comes to the House, then goes through readings, then it's perhaps brought to the committee, then there's a level of public consultation. What is the timing for this legislation to be introduced in the Legislative Assembly?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi, colleagues, for giving me some more time. Later today, I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs about the work her department is doing to support community fire departments. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just trying to understand how this initiative was rolled out and how it was implemented. I understand there is a need to work with communities, so I'm just trying to understand, and maybe the Minister could answer this question. In terms of providing resources for communities to undertake minor upgrades and perhaps in preparation for junior kindergarten to be implemented in their communities, was it contingent upon them to support JK? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My questions relate to the junior kindergarten upgrades that are slated to be delivered in terms of key communities. This is a onetime budget item for 20172018, and I wanted to understand just how it is that this initiative will be delivered. So could the Minister provide some details in terms of how this initiative will be rolled out? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, small business is imperative to the Northern economy. Mr. Speaker, this is Business Development Week and across Canada people are highlighting the contribution that businesses make to our country. Mr. Speaker, independent businesses enhance our community's character, quality and the value of services available to residents.

The government distributed a total of $21.5 million in grants and contributions in 2014-2015, almost 20 per cent of that funding went to business and manufacturing support and 17 per cent to business support agencies.

Mr. Speaker, even our...

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that's the point that I'm making is that, you know, we have a period where we have a large influx of people that start using the campgrounds, and especially once the campground in Fort Providence opens sometime in mid-May, having a large influx, and I don't know how perhaps the Minister would contemplate just the construction schedule or the work to be completed in terms of the expansion of the 20 sites and whether those things will be considered? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, the other question that I have is that, see as an example Fort Providence Territorial Park construction of the 20 additional sites. I'm just trying to understand the work that will be required if that's going to be stuff that of course the department would contemplate in terms of its procurement initiative and whether ultimately those would be going out for RFP. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to make some comments in terms of the capital estimates for 2017-2018. The process that we saw -- this has been my fifth year in terms of at least being a witness of having the departments and the committee work together in terms of the budget process regarding the capital estimates. We're proposing to commit $331 million estimated in spending for communities throughout the NWT. Now, one thing that I wanted to express is just a concern of the process that we experience, and it's left me to say that I know it's a bit presumptuous to act as if we have already...

From start to successful stage in terms of deriving profit from perhaps a business venture, what are we doing to help small businesses become self-sustaining? Mahsi.