Thank you, Mr. Picco. Mr. Minister do you have a response?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are aware there is not a great deal of capital money being allocated for this particular park this year. Over the next four to five years, there is a total allocation of over $1 million, we are projecting and anticipating, at least on an annual basis, in excess of $200,000 for that particular park. If goodwill prevails and economic conditions continue, the financial outlook remains optimistic, we will spend the money. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Picco, before you go on with your question. Could I remind you we are still on operations and maintenance, we will be reaching detail of capital after that. Do you have a question, Mr. Picco?

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Was there a question in there?

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Total operations and maintenance, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the areas wildlife, fisheries and renewable resources as it was once called, what is the distribution of biologists within each region?

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, we have indicated in our re-organization where there was a previous concentration of biologists at the headquarters level, we have tried as much as possible to take those positions and allocate them to regional operations. We shall try to put together the exact allocation of those positions in each region and give that to you in a few minutes. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Total operations and maintenance, $50,133,000. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regards to the area of tourism, there are a lot of concerns raised by committee in relation to the cuts that have been taken, especially in regards to the Northwest Territories tourism associations. In light of the amount of tourism potential we do have in the north and also the amount of resources it brings to communities, especially in the summer, especially areas that are hit economically where they do not have the potential of mines, or oil and gas fields, the tourism area is one area we feel where there is a real need for this government to spend more resources and also develop our tourism markets. Also, to provide the long term benefit to the NWT by marketing the Northwest Territories globally through tourism. I would like to ask the Minister in this area, what is the government doing to improve that particular area?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, we have indicated earlier we are working on two tourism bodies, Nunavut Tourism Association and the Western Arctic Tourism Group. We are providing them with the funding and support necessary so they can put together a plan on how to promote the respective areas to increase tourism over the next few years. The resources we have allocated are sufficient and relative to the other areas where we have allocated resources. This is the way we decided to proceed at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Regarding the area of tourism, one of the concerns that have come from the tourism association is the amount of cuts they have taken in regards to the operation and maintenance of that area of responsibility, that was given to these associations to allow the public to take a more active role in tourism and marketing of tourism. Yet the resources they have to operate and maintain has been cut drastically, in regards to them having the ability to market properly and also to maintain and operate an organization so they can do their job. In that particular area, the committee felt there is a need for funding, especially when we are investing in the north with the tourism future that we have. I would like to ask the Minister exactly what is the amount of marketing dollars they have received to date?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Because the government had faced cut backs in the funding we provide to outside agencies, even our own sectors in our department have reflected that as well, we have asked these tourism associations who are made up of business people and entrepreneurs if they could find some creative way to get better return on the monies we have allocated for these activities. These jobs, I think, have taken on that challenge. We have asked them to look at it in terms of partnership funding. We want these businesses, associations, outfitters to provide membership fees to these associations so there is some sense of commitment and investment and ownership by them that would increase the amount available to them. At this time, the core funding amount we have allocated within the budget for tourism associations is about $467,000. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make a motion.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development take every effort to return funding for the Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism Association to its historical levels.

Mr. Chairman, I did have my hand up, but you were not looking my way. May I speak to it now, Mr. Chairman?