Daniel McNeely

My last question, Mr. Speaker: can the Minister provide that information to my office so I can relate that on to the Sahtu leadership? Thank you.

I'm hearing a lot about money, but can the Minister offer an example of how it is actually supporting the working of delivery of programs to the owners of the Sahtu?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd like to discuss the small business community. We recognize the small business community as a large contributor to the NWT economy; however, the small business community needs and requires a number of elements to sustain their viability. The NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation currently lends to 118 businesses throughout the NWT, operating across the Northwest Territories as well. As a result of BDIC's assistance, these businesses currently support 944 full-time positions' equivalent in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, small businesses must have a healthy...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would also like to recognize Rocky Simpson, a business person there from Hay River working hard to provide some homes for my constituents. Thank you.

Moving forward, and to get some commitment so we have land management to address these issues of contamination, is the Minister willing to support, with my invitation, to have a stakeholders meeting here in Yellowknife, at his office?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As mentioned in my Member's statement, my questions will be to the Minister of Lands. My first one here, Mr. Speaker, is: if any, what has the department done on the industrial waste reclamation file for the northern oilfield? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member's statement is on the Esso Norman Wells reclamation. Mr. Speaker, I produced a discussion paper on this industrial land remediation and reclamation issue last September, and the intent of stewardship responsibilities under devolution.

Mr. Speaker, being responsible and proactive would mean setting up an oversight committee and only show to the federal government, a one third shareholder of the oilfield, and the operator that we take these responsibilities very seriously, but also demonstrate to the rest of the NWT residents.

Mr. Speaker, this reclamation...

I welcome the response. My next question is: will the Minister support an oversight committee? As I mentioned in my previous statements, there's a particular site outside the proven area boundary, so therefore there's a demonstration that oversight is needed outside of the proven area of boundary, which is an obligation to this government. My question is: is the Minister willing to support an oversight committee?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that response. It will be particularly good news to the community of Tulita. Tulita, I must say, is the only Sahtu community that does not have year-round gravel. We have not seen, at the community level, expansions of subdivisions or roads or paths. The material has to be imported at a very costly price, I must add. My last question, Mr. Speaker, is: can the Minister also mention and provide to the House here the status of the Canyon Creek all-season road, and also mention when will construction start on that particular project now that...

Thanks to the Minister for that response here; and in the previous, our Premier mentioned that the budget would come out in another two weeks. Mr. Speaker, the Minister noted in his response that the funding submission for the Mackenzie Valley Highway still remains suspended. What is the Department of Transportation doing to advance this project in the meantime?