Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated before, we have seen the effects of climate change, especially up in the Beau-Del, long before the rest of the country, and I do believe that we are getting to the point where it is becoming a crisis. We see that. I have said before that, in the Delta, we see ground falling into the water. You look around in the Beaufort and Tuktoyaktuk at the erosion on the shore there; that demonstrates the effect that climate change is having on the North. We recognize that.

The short answer to the Member's question is: yes, I do believe that this is serious enough to be...

We recognize that there are a number of other governments and organizations in the NWT with climate change roles. It would be difficult for me, at this stage of this Assembly, to commit the government to a symposium. Through the transition committee and providing some advice to the incoming 19th, I think that we will hear it during the election period that is coming up; the election is on October 1st. I think that we will hear a lot of concerns about climate change, and I am sure that potential candidates who are running will be telling the constituents their plans for how to deal with this...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and we appreciate the fact that the students are here voicing their concerns about climate change. It is something that we in the North have faced for a long time before the rest of the country. Before it became flavour of the day, we were feeling the effects of climate change, particularly in the Mackenzie Delta, where I am from. We see banks falling into the river. I would hate to come to a point someday where we walk across the river because there is so much sediment in the water.

I appreciate the work that they are doing. They are obviously very passionate about it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Report of Special Warrants Issued (March 15 to May 22, 2019)." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm very pleased to recognize my wife Judy in the gallery. Her presence always brightens up the Chamber.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following five documents entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 511-18(3): Consultations on the Bathurst Caribou Herd"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 520-18(3): Consultation on Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 524-18(3): Indigenous Training Programs"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 625-18(3) Tlicho All Season Road Costs"; and, "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 647-18(3): Developing a Knowledge Economy." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I will look at possibly doing this, if I am able, to make that public to the 1 percent who are quite interested in it. The other 99 percent are wondering why we are lowering the price, knowing the effect that it is having on people in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to see the Member advocating for, even though he said he is not, lower prices for alcohol in the Northwest Territories, knowing the effect that alcohol has on the people of the Northwest Territories. Terminating the contract with the liquor warehouse did result in lower costs to consumer at the liquor stores and, as an unintended consequence of levelling the cost structure for liquor stores and licensees, there was a significant increase to licensees in Yellowknife. We missed that, and as Minister, I take responsibility for that.

It has been addressed. The...

Personal feelings aside, I think that the department has done a good job in trying to mitigate the impact that it was going to have on licensees. I think that we have done that. I have asked the department to do a whole briefing policy review, and there are a number of other things that we may need to do.

I fully understand and I fully respect the impact that it might have on business in the Northwest Territories. I am not blind to that fact. We try to do what we can to have a balance here between the needs of business and the Northwest Territories, and I think we have addressed that. If I am...

Well, there was a price decrease to consumers because, through the discount program, the licensees were actually paying a lesser price than they were able to then pass along those savings to the consumers. I have the numbers here. I could look at possibly putting these on the website so that they know exactly what the prices went down to. It is right in my briefing book. The licence holders paid 8.3 percent less for spirits, 6.1 percent less for wine, and then they did pay a bit more for canned and bottled beer, because I think it is costed on a volume basis.

We have taken steps to ensure that...