Wally Schumann

I think the Minister of Health actually touched on some of this yesterday. We are working closely with the Department of health and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on this moving forward, to allow for future sales of these products, so, hopefully, within the next two years in the NWT. But before these sales can occur, public health regulations need to be developed, so that is why I am doing work within the departments.

From my understanding, though, through the Food Establishment Safety Regulations, this allows food to be sold that has been harvested legally by NWT...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Both the development of the Agriculture Strategy and the fishing strategy that we've tabled this year precedes a very big important agenda for the government for our economic development of the Northwest Territories, but, getting strictly to the question about buying local foods in local stores, the challenge with that moving forward is that we have an agricultural strategy, but we have a need to develop a process moving forward, as it is the first agricultural strategy in the Northwest Territories, and the regulatory framework around that, and what needs to be put in...

We may have to bring the Member onboard for the Marine Transportation System. He has guaranteed river levels. We will work diligently to do all the prep work to the site and make sure the boats are up and running safely. We will work with all Members of this House to let them know when we can get them in on a timely matter, subject to the river conditions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I will have to defer that question to the Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to abattoir legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The fishing strategy moving forward, it says for Great Slave Lake, but, if you look at what we have in the document, fish harvester expansion programs to help fishers cover part of their capital investment is one of the ones in the strategy; support for new entrants into the fishing industry in the Northwest Territories; the Northern Food Development Program, ITI supports fishers for the domestic commercial market in the NWT. There are a number of things in there. We have also allocated another $225,000 in this year's budget towards helping revitalize this stuff, and I believe that all of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, too, I want to recognize a grade 6 class and all the chaperones, J'Lynn Boyce, Belinda Chen, Jonathan Demarcke, Reese Leonard, Logan MacIntyre, Mason McPherson, Austin McArthur, Miranda Orr, Lynn-Don Proud, Seth Patterson, Stephanie Patterson, Erik Scheper, Harry Scheper, Chase Templeton, Colbey Walters, Roy Walters, and Brady Wickert. I would also like to recognize my wife in the House today and also my son, CJ. It is his birthday on Sunday.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the federal government has passed their budget, I and the Premier had the opportunity to go down there and talk to the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Transportation, and also the Minister of DFO to figure out the plans that the government has laid out in their budgets. We have learned a lot of different things about different pots of money and how they are spread out through different ministries and the timeframe that has been laid out for these different pots of money. Our government will continue to work with the federal government to figure out the...

I will look into the matter. We will have to consult with the City of Yellowknife as well because, depending on where the signage is going, some of it will be within the municipality. Anything along the highway system, we can certainly have a look at it and we will have that discussion and I will let the Member know.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would disagree with the Member that it is inequitable. We fund these different tourist information centres across the Northwest Territories based on different needs. Some are run by societies, some are run by local governments, some are run by contractors and such, and we base our funding on needs across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, May 29, 2017, I will move that Bill 26, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, No. 2, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.