Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thanks to the Minister for clarifying that. Those are all my questions.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Next we have Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have to clear up a few things about

SEED

. There is $3.8 million, and it is broken down regionally. I believe it is divided equally between the five regions. If it is not fully subscribed in one region, is that money then allocated to a different region so the entire $3.8 million can be spent? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister McLeod.

Yes, Mr. Chair. Our regions get together on a regular basis. They all discuss who has got how much money and if there are bigger needs elsewhere, they will move the money around. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Any further questions? Mr. Simpson.

The business plan stays as a renewal process underway to improve the effectiveness of SEED. Is that completed and what are the outcomes of that if it has been? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess, if you look at what our objectives are, those regions that are not accessing it, we would like to know why. We would like to see more equitable spending. We would like to see the money used for what it is for. We are also always looking at our delivery agents. We have a number of delivery agents, and if there are better ways to deliver the programs, we look at them as well. I guess, going forward we have regular reviews to make sure that the programs we have serve their clientele in the best way possible. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Any further questions? Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. BDIC, you said that it is independent, and they have a board of directors. I know Mr. Sebert just dismissed the Power Corp board of directors at a savings of a million dollars. How much is BDIC's board costing the government? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am not aware of it, but I could write to the Chair and ask for that information. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Any further questions? Mr. Simpson.

Yes. The commercial fisheries, I see it is $225,000, and that is to offset production and freight costs. Is this fully subscribed every year?

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, I go back a long ways with the fishermen. At one time, fishermen were only paid based on their production. There was always money being lapsed, and at some point, we decided it was fisherman money, so we gave the whole allotment of money; we gave it to the fishermen. They decide how the money is spent. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I understand that money is used to, like it says, to offset the cost of freight. I know the government is working hard to expand the fishing industry, putting a big investment into this new fish plant. I know that we need more fishermen on the lake. Is this $225,000 going to allow the entrance of new fishermen into the industry? I don't think we need these subsidies forever, but until we get the industry ramped up here, I think we are going to need them. Are we going to need more to allow more fishermen to get into the industry in the near term? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In my mind, we will. If you go back to the heyday of the Great Slave Lake fishery, there was over 200 people were employed in the fishing business. I don't expect that we will ever get back to those heady days, but I don't see why we couldn't have a thriving Great Slave Lake fishery. The only way we will get to there is to have fishermen. We have a lot of interest internationally.

As a matter of fact, I had dinner with a Chinese Consul General. He had eaten the Great Slave Lake fish here in Yellowknife, and they recognize we have the best fish in the world. They remarked that they have cargo planes now flying from Edmonton to Shanghai on a daily basis or on a regular basis. It is not a stretch, if we get enough fish, we could market it internationally. I am very optimistic and bullish on the Great Slave Lake fishery. If we do it right, if we can get some fishermen. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you thank you, Minister McLeod. Any further questions? Mr. Simpson.

Yes. That $225,000, I am just worried that is not going to be enough to get -- like there are some guys in Fort Res that want to start fishing. There might not be enough money to offset their freight costs. If that is being fully subscribed right now between the fishermen we have, if we try to bring another four, five, six, seven guys in there, there is just not going to be enough. We might not be able to keep them on the lake. Is there a chance that number might go up, and can it be supplemented by the Northern Food Development Program? Would that be a use for that program as well? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister McLeod.