Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, I would assume that Protect NWT's slow response time is caused by staff shortage and the high volume of calls they are receiving. Can the Minister tell me: how many calls has Protect NWT received to date, and is it increasing or decreasing? What are the average calls per day? What is the nature of the calls? Are they for exemptions, monitoring, enforcement, reporting, or general information? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That's good to hear. I know that's been ongoing for several years, so hopefully, it will come to fruition. The next question or comment: in some of the regions or smaller communities, one common theme is a location where artisans can showcase and make their work available to the public. Fort Liard is a community that has a beautiful building where local art is showcased and placed for sale. We need that type of facility in every community. Will the Minister commit her department to work with a community organization willing to provide space for artisans to work out of and showcase their art?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've got questions for the Minister of ITI. Can the Minister tell me: what is the departmental budget for assisting artisans working from home, more specifically those who create artwork and traditional crafts? Also, is there an equity requirement to access grants, and is there a requirement to have a business licence? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is important for Indigenous people to pass down traditional knowledge. Would the Minister commit to work with the Minister of ECE to support and develop the grant program beyond what is in place, without a requirement, to artisans willing to teach their children or grandchildren or extended family the craft? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm not sure I have any more questions after that. Anyway, the main issue for artisans in the South Slave is access to materials such as beads, stroud, and, more importantly, naturally tanned moose hide. This government has talked about a tannery building for a number of years, but this has not become a reality. I ask the Minister: is her department willing to identify and work with a proponent in the South Slave to build a tannery?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have noticed on social media the availability of Indigenous traditional artisan products has diminished, and I am not sure why this is. For myself, I do not have the talent or vision that these traditional artisans possess. However, the creativity of these artisans truly amazes me. It is important that this government provide meaningful support to the artisans of the NWT. Not only do they create beautiful products, they keep Indigenous history alive.

Mr. Speaker, over the years I have had the privilege of meeting many of the artisans whose creations are displayed, not...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the issues I brought up, I guess, about procurement and the hiring, can the Minister confirm if her department is going to do a review of MTS to address those concerns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Minister had mentioned earlier about looking at shipping oil, I think, down the Mackenzie and around the coast, somewhere, anyway. Can she just restate, I guess, what she said?

Can the Minister confirm if she can make the contract between MTS and ORSI available, if not to myself, then to the appropriate standing committee, so that we can determine what we are dealing with?

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess, just in closing here, I would like to make a comment, and I would like to say that, in the South Slave there, I am pretty impressed with the way the parks are operated. They are looked after pretty well. The park manager is doing a good job, and the staff seem to be doing a good job, as well. I really appreciate that. They seem to be responsive. Yes. Good job. Just the outhouses. Thank you, Madam Chair.