Go ahead, Mr. Todd.

Motion To Re-Examine Priorities Of Department Of Economic Development And Tourism, Carried

I move that this committee recommends that cabinet re-examine Economic Development and Tourism's priorities from a cost and benefit basis and in light of other fundamental needs.

The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Todd.

One of the concerns we had with Economic Development and with other departments was that in the presentations there was some difficulty in quantifying the expenditure and the net impact on the NWT. I think we alluded to it the other day when we were making some general comments, that nobody is opposed to parks; nobody is opposed to visitors' centres; however, in these tough difficult times when we are making some really difficult choices and changes, particularly with this current climate that the Minister of Finance keeps telling us about -- what we are saying or trying to say is there has to be a way to determine what the net impact is to Northerners. Is it building buildings or building people? It may be that in some cases there is a desire to put in infrastructure that may not necessarily have a net impact on the public at large. We feel that in the future there has to be some way for this department and others -- Education is one that comes to mind -- where the success of the program was defined by enrolment rather than attainment. It appears the Department of Economic Development was, in polite terms, a little weak in terms of its ability to justify the net impact to Northerners in these expenditures.

To the motion.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? Opposed, if any? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Todd.

Motion That NWT Development Corporation Ensure Value For Its Capital Investments, Carried

Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee recommends, in keeping with the previous standing committee on finance, that the NWT Development Corporation develop more detailed and suitable policies and procedures to ensure value for its capital investments.

The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Arvaluk.

Mr. Todd.

No, that is not what we mean. What we are trying to imply here is that in certain cases there is a requirement for government intervention and the NWT Development Corporation does exactly that. For example, the Fort McPherson canvas shop, it is my understanding it employs 12 to 14 people. What we are saying is, there is an eight million dollar budget for the NWT Development Corporation, and we want to be ensured that when they invest and the policy is in place, that they are going to ensure there is value for that. If we are going to invest in a mill, that there be jobs related to it. If we are going to invest in a fish plant, that there is going to be product related to it. There has to be clearer guidelines as to why we are investing in these kinds of funds. Are you with me? Thank you.

Thank you. To the motion. Are you ready for the question?

Question.

The question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Are there any further general comments from this committee? Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to ask the Minister, what are his plans in developing federal parks in the NWT or in assisting the federal government in developing parks in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are working very closely with Parks Canada. Their Minister, Pauline Browes, was here some two weeks ago and there was considerable discussion on further collaboration between the two governments. As I mentioned before, one of the areas that we have been working closely together on is visitors' centres, and Parks Canada has been paying their share of the displays that go into the visitors' centres. I think the most priority we are placing right now is on the dedication of national historic sites in the Northwest Territories, and we will be working with Parks Canada in that regard this year, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Just for further clarification, Mr. Chairman, can I ask the Minister if he is further deciding to

develop any parks in conjunction with the federal government to be designated as federal parks? Thank you.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the next park that will be officially signed or officially dedicated will be Banks Island, and that will be done in Inuvik in July, I believe. Myself and Mr. Ningark will attend with the federal Minister, and as far as other parks are concerned it will be done on a case-by-case issue, and obviously there has to be community and regional support if we are going to do any more national parks or any more parks in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Chairman, can the Minister indicate to me whether or not there are plans to develop any more parks south of the lake where, in my opinion, we have enough?