This would be something that we'd have to take up with the City of Yellowknife, as signage is not all the responsibility of all of the Northwest Territories. If the City would like to have a meeting for signage for the Tourist and Information Centre, we can work closely with them and arrange to have something put in place.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It sounds like a very complex problem that requires a lot more meetings perhaps, but I've got members of the public approaching me about unsafe conditions along the highway from Niven Lake to the downtown; there's no sidewalks or separation from vehicular traffic for pedestrians. Will the Minister commit to meet with interested parties, including Niven Lake residents, the owner of the nearby hotel, City of Yellowknife, and the Visitors Centre to develop and put in place a proper plan for this busy stretch of highway? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I've already stated, that we've met with a number of user groups on this whole issue and the department has already suggested, with the city and Ecology North and other people that are related to this issue, is that we would like to have a meeting moving forward on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister of Housing. Mr. Speaker, over the summer we've received the modular home in Tsiigehtchic for the RCMP and the nurse or social workers in the community. Mr. Speaker, you know, everything has all been set up here, but what hasn't been set up so far is that this modular home is not connected to power yet. The community is concerned that with the ferry going out shortly, within the next week, that the unit is still not connected to power. So I'd like to ask the Minister, will the department ensure that this unit is connected to power before the ferry cannot go to the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of NWT Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since I don't actually know exactly where we are in Tsiigehtchic with that modular unit, I will have to take notice of the Member's statement, thank you.

Masi. The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister tried to use a little tactic to cut me off earlier, but I'm back.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of ITI, and it's not along the same question, it's a different question. We know recently, Mr. Speaker, that we just celebrated the success of the NWT Film Festival. So I'm wondering, can the Minister explain, is ITI engaging the local film industry to discuss strategic investment and look for ways to create local jobs in the film industry? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ITI continues to advance initiatives and investments in supporting the NWT film sector. As of recently, they just had a gala year with their new release of the Midnight Sun feature, which I suspect a number of Members in the Assembly have attended, hopefully. I was out of town so I couldn't make it, but kudos go out to them on that. We will continue to work with them on any initiatives and marketing stuff forward to help this industry grow in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you to the Minister for his reply. We know that the fishing industry is an industry that has formerly been a very robust and thriving industry. I wonder if the Minister can describe how is ITI supporting the Tlicho Cooperative representatives of the Great Slave fishery on their business case and decision to rebuild the Great Slave Lake fishery?

This is something that is very near and dear to my heart, as I am from Hay River and it's very important to the local industry of Hay River and the Northwest Territories. I can reassure the Member that I will be working very closely with the Tlicho business and the Fishing Federation and all people and fishers of the Northwest Territories on how we're going to move this process forward to make sure we bring a viable industry that is beneficial to all Northerners and to reach out to industry and people across the great globe of the world, basically, to see what kind of fresh fish we have here and market it properly. We will continue to do that.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think what we're seeing here today with the fiscal update is the beginning of the great budget battle for 2017-2018. When I heard the fiscal update, I just want to ask the Minister of Finance, if I may, does he recognize that the $150 million reduction target was actually taken out of the mandate? I just want to know if he recognizes that and how that might play out into fiscal planning for the next budget?

Minister of Finance.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I am well aware that the $150 million was removed from the mandate. Thank you.

I guess this side of the House, I can't speak for everybody, but certainly I'm trying to still understand what this cutting programs and services today, what that money is going to be used for in the future. So can the Minister of Finance tell us exactly what the surplus is going to be used for, how it's going to be invested in the last two years of our mandate?

I'm wondering if the Minister of Finance, then, can tell me, can we still achieve our fiscal responsibility policy without $150 million reduction targets?

Mr. Speaker, $150 million was the original target. As Members recall, we, I think, achieved $66 million of it last year. We are currently in the business planning process for the upcoming 2017-2018 O and M budget and we are having discussions with the Members. Once we have those discussions and we get into our budget session in February/March, we'll make further decisions as to where any future monies are going to be invested.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I think everybody recognizes the importance of the fiscal responsibility policy, but I don't think I really got an answer to my question, so I might try again. Can we actually achieve or comply with that policy without cutting $150 million of programs and services? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.