During those recommendations it was also brought forward that a review of the minimum wage would happen every two years. So seeing how we're coming up into the second year, June 1, 2017, we will do another review of the minimum wage, we will look at recommendations that were brought from the last report, and once again go out and engage and consult with all the stakeholders that were on the Minimum Wage Committee previous.

Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if the Minister can commit to providing committee, this side of the House, with any results that he may have during discussions with small business on the impacts of minimum wage?

Yes, we can get those preliminary results, we can also look at maybe developing a survey to our small businesses. I know it was a big concern when we're going through the review and also having those discussions in this House in the previous government about the minimum wage and the impact it would have on small business. But we can try to get that information and contact some of our stakeholders how gave that input and share it with committee.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he can commit to providing the impacts on minimum wage increases, if increases were recommended, on the minimum wage earners and how that impacts our government in the area of social programs that we often extend to individuals that are at a minimum wage? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It's been about 16 months since we implemented the new minimum wage throughout the Northwest Territories. I'm sure we have some information, some data. As well, you know, we do continue to promote our income assistance program and also any support that we can give to low income families that might need some assistance. But we can look at trying to get some of that preliminary information and share it with Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to follow up with the Minister of Transportation. I know he said that the community has met with his staff to meet there, but this is an Aboriginal community, it's First Nations in government and it's part of the mandate, so will the Minister commit to actually meet the leadership to have this discussion about transportation in their riding? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Transportation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated in the House earlier that our staff has gone and met with the community and the band and discussed the contract that was put out to tender. I stand by that. If the community and chief and council want to have a conversation with me I'm willing to open up to have a phone conversation and have preliminary discussions with them in that manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again, I thank the Minister for sort of kind of answering. I understand that he's had his staff go in and talk to the community. I understand he sent a letter, now he's offering a phone call. Actually, the community would like to have a face-to-face meeting with the Minister. So will the Minister make the commitment to actually meet them face-to-face, not by a phone, not by a letter, so they can actually deal with some of the issues of transportation?

As I've stated, I'm willing to have a phone call conversation with the leadership of Wrigley and have a discussion around this and see where it goes from there.

I understand the phone lines really work good between Yellowknife and Wrigley but, unfortunately, they would actually like to see the Minister come to the community and address… Three other Ministers came there and they heard their concerns: transportation was the issue; the biggest issue there. They had concerns. They're trying to meet with the Minister face-to-face so they can address their concerns. So will the Minister make a commitment to go in and face-to-face meet with these people? Please.

As I've stated, this is early conversation; the tender has already been awarded; the proponents are starting on the project. If there's other transportation issues the community wants to discuss with the Minister of Transportation I will gladly have a phone conversation and see where this goes from there.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe we can educate the Minister on actually face-to-face that gives them that opportunity. Again, it's not about having a conversation over the phone; it's actually going in and meeting with the people. We're not talking about this one contract; we're talking about transportation issues in that community. So will the Minister please go into the community and meet with them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I've stated previously, I'm open to having a phone conversation around transportation issues with the community. Until we get that ironed out I'm not prepared to go in there until we get the basis of what the conversation is going to be, and I will gladly have a conversation with the community and council.

Masi. Time for oral questions has expired. Masi. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, entitled "Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Legal Aid Commission 2015-2016." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources.

Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Yellowknife Centre.