That’s great. I know we’ve had a lot of discussions here over the years on that rebate program and I’m glad to see that it’s moving forward.
In terms of the SEED funding, I had questions last week I believe. When was the last time it was reviewed? We want to really support our small businesses right now in the communities, in the regions that are having a hard time making it by when the economy is bad. So I’m not going to need an answer on that. I got my answers in the House last week. I just wanted to mention it again.
A big one in here is the agriculture. I know there have been some big announcements made lately, but in terms of agriculture in the communities, we see a lot more community gardens in the summer, we see the greenhouses like in Inuvik. We also see, I think they’re hydroponic plants, or there’s one in Weledeh, one in East Three School that grow food all year long. I think if we could make more of an investment in those, we’d get kids learning how to grow and become kind of like farmers I guess.
Just a couple more comments. The traditional economy, the Minister mentioned it earlier and I wanted to reference that when we talk about tourism. Tourism is good when we’re trying to get people to come to the Territories, but the Minister
saw at the NWT Days Gala, we had a lady there with some fantastic jewellery, everybody was going to her booth, as well as the fur industry as well. I think we need to support those guys as much as we’re supporting the film industry.
Just under the traditional economy, something that has been very successful but we’re seeing a decline lately is the Great Northern Arts Festival. I have made Member’s statements and I have asked questions about it over the years and we’re seeing a decline in participation. But we’re still seeing a lot of good art produced throughout the Northwest Territories. I think the Great Northern Arts Festival’s board of directors might be having a hard time just seeking funding, getting funding, obviously because of the increased costs of the hotels, increased cost of food, all those lead up to it. So that $25,000 that we’ve been giving them for I can’t even remember how far back we’ve been staying on it, it has never increased and I think the government should take a look at how we can increase their funding, even for this year. That would be really great.
I think Mr. Yakeleya’s idea of a winter park is kind of unique, it’s innovative, and in fact, during our Sunrise Festival we actually had a little ice road village, a little village down on Boot Lake. It was really great and I think that’s something that would sell.
Just some comments. If the Minister would like to comment on a few of them, that would be great.
I’m not too sure if the Minister holds an economic conference in the Northwest Territories and what kind of businesses come to that. Is it all sectors? Is it just focused on certain sectors? But whether or not he does hold a conference… I think that would be a great way for people to network and learn about some of these funding sources. Thanks, Mr. Chair.