George Nerysoo

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One last question, what's the criteria for some organization, like, that's applying for -- may want to apply for funding; what's the criteria? Do they have to be affiliated to a society of some sort? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm just looking at what my colleague from Inuvik Boot Lake just stated was the Great Northern Arts Festival. We have a festival that's affiliated with the community of Fort McPherson, the Midway Lake community -- I mean, the Midway Lake Music Festival. Has this organization ever made a proposal to your department for funding? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister consider joining the Ministers' tour of the Mackenzie Delta on July 16th and 17th and get back to me with a response as soon as possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are other benefits getting at and using this specific gravel source for training opportunities, for the Dempster Highway, and also the local economy. Will the Minister look at other stakeholders and try to make this venture a reality for the benefit of the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A gravel source is very important for many reasons. We need gravel for the upkeep of the highway, for the ferry landings, and for community use. With the high cost of fuel and transportation, it is important that we find a gravel source that is close to the community and readily available at a competitive price.

While Tsiigehtchic has that gravel source right in its backyard, extracting this source will benefit the community in many ways like training, employment, and this venture will help the economy of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, today, if any community within the Beaufort...

I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

When somebody applies for funding from your department in this area, do they have to provide a financial report? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Okay. No, my question was I'm looking for funding for Midway Lake. Has the organization ever approached your department or regional department for funding in the past? I'm just wondering if that's something that this organization has ever pursued. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We've been talking about building our economy in our committees and their deliberations. It's important that we help build our economy within each community, within each region, as a territory as a whole, but when you look at these SEED programs, the advance -- I mean, the community futures, all these programs have had a decrease in these areas where it's giving -- where it states community. It's very disturbing to see these cuts in these areas where it supports community initiatives. Can you give me some clarity on that, please. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You beat me to my third question there. Will the Minister consider talking to the local government if their request came directly from the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.