Michael Nadli

Just in terms of the experience of last fire season, which was fairly significant, the biggest on record, is there anything special that the Minister and his department will undertake to involve the community in terms of preparing for this fire season? For example, perhaps considering some strategic locations of communities for fire bases, or amassing, perhaps, a camp of personnel, ensuring that communities are involved and perhaps ensuring that communications are very clear in terms of involving communities. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just following up on my Member’s statement in terms of recognizing the local employment opportunities for the tiny hamlet of Enterprise, recently the community was quite excited to experience the construction of the fire tower in the vicinity of their community.

Can the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources provide an update on the construction of the Enterprise fire tower? Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) to have Committee Report 14-17(5), Report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations Review of the 2014 Official Languages Act, be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The 2014-15 Marketing Plan noted the challenges of dealing with unforeseen events including natural disasters. My question is to the Minister of ITI.

How does NWT Tourism plan to build tourism in the Deh Cho following last year’s destructive fire season?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We know that tourism is an important industry in the Northwest Territories. In its 2014-15 Marketing Plan, NWT Tourism has identified several major focus categories, including outdoor adventuring, Aboriginal travel, and sport hunting and fishing. Growth in the German, Swiss and British markets show particular interest in Aboriginal cultures in a natural environment. It’s a great sign for regions like the Deh Cho. But at the same time, we also know that for both Canadian and international travelers, travelling north can be expensive. As a result, our tourism strategies...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories work closely with departments to help them improve their response times under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and that the GNWT make clear what sanctions will be imposed for departments that fail to meet their statutory commitments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has been considering Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act. Members will recall that a substantive report on the committee’s review of Bill 12 was presented to the Legislative Assembly on March 5, 2015. By motion, the House received the report and it was moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

Bill 12 sets out the legislative framework for Northern Employee Benefits Services, NEBS, Pension Plan to continue as a multi-employer, multi-jurisdictional public sector pension plan for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How will the NWT components of the Deh Cho Travel Connection be promoted and emphasized?

The Marketing Plan notes that each region is budgeted to receive $50,000 for advertising initiatives of their choice working with the NWT Tourism marketing director to align with the territorial strategy.

What other NWT tourism plans and strategies support region-directed growth in tourism?

To build tourism in the NWT, there is room for growth and improvement in and around the hamlet of Enterprise and throughout the NWT and Deh Cho. Tomorrow I’ll speak further about the hamlet, and later today I’ll have questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Mahsi.