I know there are some programs out there, Moms and Tots, mothers and babies, that invite all families to participate in those programs. We have made increases and improvements to the Canada Child Benefit, the NWT Child Benefit. That puts more dollars into low- to modest-income families. We also provide daycares and funding for day homes through subsidies, where, if parents want to have a day home, we can work on helping them provide that, possibly having their kids participate in the program, as well. Obviously, there are still other options. The Member did mention one in his statement. We are not aware of any of those kinds of programs here in the NWT.

As the Minister just indicated, I am particularly aware of that one program that I spoke of. There are probably many all over the world. Can the Minister commit to looking at best practices from other jurisdictions in early childhood development?

Earlier I mentioned the "Right from the Start" early childhood development action plan that we have. That was based on best practices. We worked with our stakeholders, and we worked with the Department of Health and Social Services to develop that. When it comes to early childhood development and the importance of it, we are always looking at best practices throughout the country and other jurisdictions, but that action plan itself was based on best practices at the time.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister agree to begin the process of evaluating junior kindergarten as a long-term objective, but starting now with his department? Thank you.

We are both just over five months into the territorial-wide implementation of the junior kindergarten program throughout the Northwest Territories. I did commit to standing committee and I have committed to the evaluation of the program on an ongoing basis, so, yes, we will commit to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Earlier in my statement I mentioned the significance of the Mackenzie River being the second-longest river system in North America, but there is almost nothing to signal the Deh Cho to tourists and nothing at all to tell them about the river's history and great importance to all residents of the NWT. In my Member's statement, I suggested a larger sign, a bigger sign, and a roadside exhibit. It might also be a good picnic spot. What is the process to begin such a project? Mahsi.

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member's point is well taken. I travel this highway quite a bit, and there is no signage there talking about the Mackenzie River. The Mackenzie River is important, not just to his region, but to the whole Northwest Territories. It is how people travelled in this country for years and years. I think it is a good idea to celebrate this type of feature, but it is not something that will happen overnight. I suggest maybe to the Member that we find someone within his riding who we can partner up with, a group or an organization. We can have a look at this thing. Contact our regional office in Hay River, and we can have some discussions.

I do not think I will be able to top off my colleague from Nahendeh's accomplishments with the previous Minister, but I will try. As the Minister might be aware, I know we did have a position before called economic development officer position, but that position was pulled. I would like a commitment to work on this roadside attraction. I think the Minister is onto something good. Will the Minister's department get started on a roadside park? That would be a popular attraction on the south shore of the river. Mahsi.

This question is perfect for me, for Infrastructure and ITI. We are committed to our parks system and investing in them in the Northwest Territories. Maybe this is something, again, we can have another discussion about this whole thing and have a look at how we can maybe move this thing in stages. Maybe we add it to our existing parks system, but I think it is a conversation that I am willing to support, and we can have those conversations. Again, I ask the Member to contact our regional office.

It has to be acknowledged that tourism is a growing industry, and we are trying to take advantage. That is the main point. I expect the organizations in Fort Providence, museum staff in Yellowknife, and Dene Metis organizations would have good suggestions for material to be included in the roadside exhibit about the Deh Cho. I have heard the suggestion of perhaps advising an interpretive centre. Will the department consult these parties to plan the exhibit?

Again, I agree with the Member. It's three times in a row. A project like this I think would be great for the region and will highlight travel through the Deh Cho, like I said, and highlight the Mackenzie River as such and whatever else we want to promote for the Deh Cho region. Again, I ask the Member to find someone who wants to drive this in his region and contact our department. We'll have a serious look at it.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for his enthusiasm. It's great to know. I think the key question is, you know, if he's committed, there's an interest. The key question is: when can the work on this facility begin? Mahsi.

As the Member knows, we're in our budget process. To have a new park or something like that just doesn't slide into the budget just like that. At the minimum, at the very minimum, this project will need some planning, a consideration of costs, a project description, and these sorts of things. The Member is also, you know, asking the question if we will support that, and I gladly will support it moving forward, but he is going to have to get his constituency or people in his constituency to buy into this. I'd like to hear from them on what they have to say about it and have someone try this locally and we will look at supporting it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm looking forward to launching my kayak at the Michael Nadli Deh Cho Park. Not in 2018, but in 2019.

Mr. Speaker, on a more serious note, I have a follow-up question for the Minister of Justice. He talked about the importance of "justice delayed is justice denied." One way of measuring that in the rental office context is to find out how long it's taking between the hearing and the issuing of the court order. That's a metric that would be useful to have reported on an annual basis. Can the Minister commit to asking the rental office to do that? Thank you.

Masi. Minister of Justice.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can commit to asking the rental officer to do that.

Masi. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Masi. Petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents.