Good afternoon, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Francophone community is a vibrant part of the multicultural mosaic of the Northwest Territories. As we move into the 20th Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, from March 1st to 21st, we have some milestones to mark and events to celebrate.

According to the 2016 census, there were 4,280 French-speaking residents across the Northwest Territories, nearly 10 per cent of the total population. While the majority of the Francophone residents live in Yellowknife, there are also large numbers in Hay River, Fort Smith, and Inuvik.

This is why, Mr. Speaker, when the Strategic Plan on French Language Communications and Services launched in 2012, the focus was on the significant demand in the communities of Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Inuvik.

The Strategic Plan was developed in partnership with the Federation franco-tenoise to improve the Government of the Northwest Territories' delivery of French-language communications and services. The plan relies on the Francophone Affairs Secretariat, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, and Services TNO, our French-language single-window service centre, to help departments, boards, and agencies ensure that programs and services are delivered appropriately and meet Official Languages Act obligations.

The strategic plan is currently being independently evaluated to determine if the requirements of the Standards for French Communications and Services are being met at targeted points of service, for example, general medical assistance and tax and legal assistance. The overall success and value of the strategic plan will also be evaluated.

Extensive engagements were held with stakeholders from across the Northwest Territories, both within the government and within community and representative groups. The evaluation results will be made public in the coming months. The results will inform the development of the next five-year Strategic Plan on French Language Communications and Services for the years 2018 to 2023.

Mr. Speaker, 2018 marks 10 years since the Government of the Northwest Territories established Services TNO. Services TNO provides information and a variety of government services to members of the public. Since 2008, this agency has received thousands of requests from French-speaking residents looking to receive quick and efficient services. We will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary through the month of March.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the construction of the addition to Ecole Allain St-Cyr remains on schedule, with full completion by the end of November 2018. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has worked collaboratively with the Commission scolaire francophone, the territory's Francophone school board, to ensure that the needs of this school's Francophone students are being met. Once completed, the addition will feature one multi-purpose classroom, one instructional classroom, special needs spaces, and a full sized gymnasium with change rooms and a stage for school plays.

Mr. Speaker, over the next three weeks there will be more than 3,000 activities taking place across Canada as part of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, including community gatherings, multicultural meetings, ceremonies, shows, and educational activities, a whole series of events celebrating French culture. We in the Northwest Territories will also be celebrating with our rich and thriving Francophone community that only continues to grow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Mr. Speaker, nearly $1 billion of our economy comes from mining and exploration. It is the primary generator of wealth in the Northwest Territories and the reason why our government has made the commitment in its mandate to support this sector.

Mining provides good-paying jobs to nearly 2,000 NWT residents, who spend their paycheques with local businesses and drive opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic diversification. In large part, it is the revenues realized from mining that allows our government to invest in programs and services that are bettering the lives of NWT residents today.

Mr. Speaker, these benefits, which our territory has enjoyed for decades, will not last without revitalizing the mineral exploration in the NWT. To grow and even maintain our economy, we must ensure a cycle of exploration and development so that, as one mine closes, a second and third mine are entering into production.

In only six years, one of our largest mining projects will begin to wind down, and with few new projects on the horizon. We need to restore and enhance the investment climate that existed in our region prior to the downturn in the commodity markets.

In January, our government took the opportunity afforded to us by the AME Roundup in Vancouver to advance the message that we need to grow the territorial economy, especially in communities and regions, so more people can have good middle-class jobs and incomes. We showcased to investors what we are calling the NWT Difference.

While many jurisdictions have immense mineral potential, Mr. Speaker, few can boast the holistic, inclusive approach we take to managing and encouraging responsible mineral exploration and development in our territory.

The Northwest Territories' diamond mines have provided over 25,000 person-years of employment to residents since 1996. They have spent over $13 billion on goods and services from NWT businesses. More so, mining has created ways to foster local economy, build a skilled workforce, and empower communities. It has enabled a host of NWT residents to gain valuable and transferrable education and experience across a multitude of sectors, sciences, and trades. With the growth of our world-class diamond mines has come an explosion in local businesses providing the expertise and skills to service them.

Indigenous governments have invested in and grown a multitude of NWT-based companies, some of which have now outgrown their territorial beginnings and are expanding to service projects around the circumpolar Arctic and into Alberta. Mining companies can be proud of the legacies they are contributing to when they invest in our territory. That is the NWT difference that can set us apart for investors. It is one that we were able to demonstrate in the united front provided by our government, Members of this Legislative Assembly, and our Indigenous partners at the AME Roundup.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend we will build on our work in Vancouver at the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada trade show in Toronto. Like the AME Roundup, it is a key event for the mining industry, and one at which prospective developers, explorers, and especially investors and the financial sector will gather to foster new relationships, build on existing ones, and seek out new projects and partnerships.

Once again, the Premier and I will have a full slate of meetings and networking opportunities to promote and talk about our territory's vast mineral potential and the NWT Difference.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot ignore the need for exploration and development in our territory. Our government's role is to foster a strong economy. That means aggressively and strategically marketing our territory's assets in a crowded global industry. We need to encourage new exploration to assure ourselves of a strong economic future. We need to make sure the NWT is front and center to responsible investors, developers, and explorers.

We need to demonstrate to industry that, when responsible development companies come to our territory, they have the confidence, knowing we are interested in moving world class projects forward at all levels. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the agreement on the prevention of unregulated fishing in the high season in the central Arctic Ocean.

Mr. Speaker, the High Seas Fisheries Agreement aims to prevent unregulated, unreported commercial fisheries in the central Arctic for an initial period of 16 years, followed by five-year renewals thereafter.

Mr. Speaker, the motivation for this agreement emerges largely from the gradual increase in access to the Arctic regions due to reduced ice coverage, and shared interest in Arctic states protecting fragile ecosystems. This agreement is particularly ground-breaking due to its collaborative nature. The agreement includes five Arctic states, in addition to China, Japan, the European Union, and South Korea. Most importantly, however, Inuit from three countries were represented at the table.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important agreement for Canada and its Indigenous peoples as an unprecedented international agreement that not only considered traditional knowledge, but included Indigenous groups right at the negotiating table.

Mr. Speaker, this agreement shows progress in the recognition of Indigenous rights and the role that Indigenous peoples have in the drive to self-determination at the international level.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is a leading jurisdiction of Indigenous rights in Canada. Kudos to the Premier, and I encourage the GNWT to continue working with Indigenous governments. For instance, the GNWT included Indigenous governments at the devolution agreement, and committed to sharing royalty revenues from development projects, et cetera.

Mr. Speaker, however, there is always room for improvement, and I would like to see the GNWT give more authority and control to Indigenous groups in the co-management of all matters that affect their traditions and cultural well-being. For example, I would like to see more involvement in the co-management of caribou, given their migratory nature, and their base cultural importance to many of our peoples.

Mr. Speaker, the High Seas Fisheries Agreement is one amazing example worldwide, and has included Inuit in its decision-making core. Its development is a testament to collaboration and inclusion and a lesson to be learned, and a meaningful participation of Indigenous groups as the current federal budget wants to focus on co-creation with Indigenous leaders and their people in their drive to self-determination. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

The North Slave Metis Alliance represents Indigenous rights-bearing Metis people of the Northwest Territories who primarily exercise their Indigenous rights north and east of Great Slave Lake. The NSMA's mandate includes the assertion, protection, and implementation of the Aboriginal rights of the North Slave Metis people, and the exercise of Metis responsibility to protect the environment and promote and enhance economic, social, and cultural development.

Mr. Speaker, the NSMA is located in my riding of Kam Lake, and today I rise to address the ongoing concerns they have brought to my attention.

In Tom Isaac's report, A Path to Reconciliation, released in March of 2017, recommendation number 5 states that Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories, and I quote: "Reconsider their positions on section 2.5.1(b) of the NWT Metis Nation Agreement in principle, and in particular, the use of the words 'eligible to be' set out in the last clause therein, so not to have any final agreement with the Northwest Territories Metis Nation automatically affect any Aboriginal and Treaty rights of the North Slave Metis Alliance and its members."

This recommendation is almost identical to a Federal Court judgment from October 2017 that rules that the NSMA's submission were reasonable and should have been reviewed once submitted.

It is disappointing to know that the government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government have not attempted to respect this ruling, nor the ruling of Mr. Isaac's report when it was released in March.

It is time for both governments to clearly recognize that the North Slave Metis Alliance does not want to be in the same claim as the NWT Metis Nation and instead wants to assert and be given respect for their individual Indigenous identity as per their constitutional rights under section 35.

Mr. Speaker, the Powley test lays out the criteria to not only define what might constitute a Metis right, but who is entitled to those rights. Every member of the NSMA meets the Powley test, and they have a history in this territory for being Metis for over a century, thereby establishing a unique culture and identity, the same as any other First Nations group.

There is a strong argument that the NSMA be given the same consideration and accommodation. I cannot understand why this government has not undertaken a strength-of-claim assessment for the NSMA. They produced membership lists for over 290 members to be vetted by the Crown and its governments, where the Metis nation has neither been asked or required to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Premier on why we are still asking questions about strength of claim instead of moving on with reconciliation for the NSMA. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past fall I ran into a very unique situation. A youth was sent out to a treatment facility where there was an incident. After a number of phone calls between me and the family, we brought the situation up to the Minister and the department for their help. To the department's credit, there was quick action taken and they were on top of it. Unfortunately, the process that is usually used to share what happened did not work this time. There seems to be a huge void when it comes to youth in care. It seems that nobody could sign the consent form, leaving a lot of questions left unanswered and a lot of people left in the dark.

Mr. Speaker, I was informed that the Child and Family Service Act set out many legal obligations regarding the care and well-being of the children. The act also sets out, under various circumstances, who is the legal guardian of each child. It seems that, depending on the situation, they will decide who can or cannot be the legal guardian, even if the person has assigned that right previously. I can tell you that there were a lot of frustrated people and a lot of tears dealing with this situation.

Later on, another situation happened with the same individual, and again we were relying on the information from the individual instead of the normal communication system in place. There was a lot of running around to get information and share what we had. I have to give credit to the department for making sure the person was looked after and safe. They reached out to the family and explained everything they could without breaching the individual's confidentiality.

The sad note, though, through this is the youth did not feel their voice was heard, and this is what I am trying to do here today. I want to assure that person that we have heard what is going on and we are fighting for that person's voice. Please believe us, your voice is very important for all the parties involved, and I encourage the youth to continue to speak up. Personally, I would like to thank the staff who dealt with both situations. They did a great job in speaking with the youth, reaching out to the family and me as we moved forward. Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many residents, including youth, want to maintain their chosen lifestyle in their home communities. One of our biggest challenges as a territory is to support a small population in many communities across a vast area. How do we provide employment and create prosperity? Our small communities face high unemployment. There are some government jobs and often not too much else. Government programs can help, but people want independence. The real issue is the lack of jobs.

Our mandate directs us to diversify the economy, and good work is happening around new strategies in areas like agriculture, tourism, knowledge, innovation, and creative arts. Today's youth will benefit from this diversification in just a few years, but we need to think outside the box to provide more opportunity. Youth need support, training, and encouragement to move into trades and life skills, entrepreneurship and business, academia, and even the sciences.

No doubt we live in an interesting time. A few years ago, we talked about the information age. Now it is becoming known as the age of acceleration. When I was in school, I could spend days, even weeks, researching a certain subject. Today the world's knowledge is at our fingertips and can be searched in seconds.

Mr. Speaker, a few days ago in my Member's statement I imagined a young woman who thinks up an app to teach her traditional language, and I suggested that she might earn an income from that idea. The challenge is: how does she get from here to there? She has talent, creativity, and skill. She has all the information in the world on her smartphone, but how does she gather, select, and apply that knowledge to build something, Mr. Speaker? This young woman might know how to write code and create an app, but does she know how to write a business plan to share her idea with the world?

Mr. Speaker, we are opening new areas in our economy. For that to pay off, we must find ways to support our young people. We need to help them overcome barriers that are holding them back. We need to facilitate networking and partnerships to build on knowledge and new technologies. That young woman's concept needs our support to grow into a full-fledged creation.

Mr. Speaker, I started out talking about creating jobs in the small communities. I am ending with support for young people. Why? Because supporting young people and their creative ideas will help our communities develop and prosper. Later, I will have questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. With the approach of spring, another annual tradition is upon us: Arctic Energy Alliance has run out money to fund popular and progressive programs that help our residents reduce their energy costs and cut greenhouse gas production.

According to a message posted to the alliance website on January 24th, the Energy Efficiency Incentive Program has been fully subscribed for the 2017-2018 fiscal year and rebates are no longer available. The notice tells people that, if they have purchased an eligible product, they can still go onto a waiting list, but that waiting list is not carried forward into the new fiscal year. Also this year, the alliance is fully subscribed across its programs, so no internal reallocations are possible. I have had at least three Yellowknife residents contact me regarding the lack of alliance funding for 2017-2018, some after they had already made investments in energy conservation, only to discover that no funding was available, partly due to poor communications.

Regular MLAs in this Assembly have consistently pleaded with Cabinet to increase alliance funding but to no avail. The draft energy strategy makes no promises about increased alliance funding other than a vague commitment to enhance and review alliance programs. It is not clear whether the GNWT is seeking any additional federal funding to increase the alliance's budget and programs. We cannot wait for federal dollars to rain from heaven. We need to get ready now. The Minister tells me that a comprehensive review of alliance programs is now in its final stages and recommendations are expected for improvements to enhance its effectiveness. One key need is to align the design and delivery of improved programming with the priorities and actions of the new energy strategy, especially if it is improved, as I recommended earlier this week in the House. Before we leave this fiscal year, though, I wonder whether there may still be an opportunity to assist with those who have been placed on the waiting list. As we get close to the end of the fiscal year, are there any surplus funds within the Department of Infrastructure that can be re-profiled into the alliance? Also in the expectation of increased federal funding, I would also like to see the current waiting list of application approvals carried over into and funded with 2018-2019 funds. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure on improving funding to the Arctic Energy Alliance later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the legalization of cannabis is now just a few months away. The question is: are we ready? My fear is that we will not be, and it is young people who are most at risk.

There was a high degree of interest on the public engagement on cannabis legalization last summer and fall, with one in 10 households responding to the GNWT's online survey. There was near-unanimous support for government spending on public awareness and education focused on youth that would provide evidence-based education on the risks related to cannabis use.

Mr. Speaker, those who responded to the survey want to see a full-court press with ads in mass media, social media, posters, pamphlets, and mandatory education in schools. Many people want teachers to take a leading role, and no doubt they will, but, Mr. Speaker, there is no substitute for the conversations parents and caregivers can have with their own children and youth. They have a unique position of authority and trust to help teens understand the risks.

I recently reviewed an excellent resource to use as a starting point for these conversations. It is called the Cannabis Talk Kit, and it is produced by Drug Free Kids Canada. I liked it because it provides signs to watch for that may indicate your teen is using and information about the effects of long-term case. It provides sample conversations about drug use and anticipated responses. It anticipates the way in which teens will minimize their use. There are no scare tactics here. This guide is based on being positive, active listening, and asking open-ended questions. It also offers guidance on what to say when your teen says, "You did it at my age," or they know that you still do.

These conversations are vital to help our teens understand the risks of cannabis, which they may underestimate.

Mr. Speaker, this guide is focused on harm reduction, and that's an approach I support. I think demanding abstinence from teens is tough, and it will be even tougher when cannabis is legal and they are old enough to buy it for themselves. A common sense approach that focuses on facts is likely to be better received and more effective. Of course, the same could be said for alcohol and tobacco use, as well.

Mr. Speaker, the government didn't include money for public awareness about cannabis use in the budget.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Barring an unforeseen hitch, cannabis will become legal during the next fiscal year. Northerners have clearly said they want a robust public education plan. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services about what that is going to look like. Mahsi.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing is a much-needed and challenging program for all communities in the Northwest Territories. Families need stable homes, the foundation of an environment, and social community growth.

Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu, Dene, and Metis land claim under the permitted activities chapter disallows for options to these very principles on capitalizing for a joint housing initiative. Through conditions of forced growth and conditional spending, this is a prior step to addressing the core need for housing demand in four of the five Sahtu communities.

Mr. Speaker, there are many housing initiatives under both levels of government. However, if this information is not shared, it only becomes a lost opportunity and our communities are back at the starting gates of poverty.

Mr. Speaker, to overcome these community challenges with solutions for leadership considerations, I strongly feel a Regional Round Table on Voices for Housing, Step Two, must happen. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, given the developed plans and strategies, I will later have questions to the Minister of Housing on action planning. Mahsi.

Masi. Member's statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak about the passing of one of my constituents, Hank Mark Lafferty of Ndilo. He was commonly known as "Qui." [English translation not provided.] And grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Qui was raised in Ndilo and was the fifth in a family of eight growing up. He enjoyed playing hockey and loved going out in the land with his dad who taught him how to hunt, trap, run dogs in his youth. Throughout his life, Qui loved to play the guitar, sing, and even wrote his own songs. Qui also had a good sense of humour and loved to joke around and poke fun at people around him. Qui was a working man. He liked to keep busy, so it's no surprise that he had many a number of jobs in his life, including worked as a diamond driller, a wood cutter, a wood salesman, and a garbage truck driver, although his favourite work and pastime was being on a land with elders, family, and friends. He always tried to pass his knowledge on to a newer generation in order for them to carry traditions he learned in his life.

As a man who was raised with traditional values and beliefs, Qui was also very spiritual. He was a sun dancer and a pipe carrier. I'd like to share one short story from Qui's family that was told to me.

In his youth at age 13, upon becoming a hunter, his father told him that, to truly become a good hunter, he needed to go in the bush in overnight for at least one night by himself, so he did that. He took off in his snow mobile and was crossing a lake and the machine went through the ice. Qui was not deterred. He managed to pull himself and the snow mobile out of the water and follow through with his coming of age quest. He came home the next day unharmed.

Qui was a strong man, who will be dearly missed. He always protected the family he liked, the people he liked. I personally knew him for many years. Hank Mark Lafferty was a cousin of mine. His mother and my grandmother are first cousins. In addition, Qui is a first cousin to our honourable Speaker, Jackson Lafferty. I'd like to take this opportunity to extend my condolences to Qui Lafferty, friends, and the people at Ndilo. Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Our condolences to the family members, as well. Masi. Masi for being here with us. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize the members of the family of the eulogy that I just did. With us in the House is mother, Vitaline King-Beaulieu Lafferty; son, Fenton Lafferty; son, Justin Lafferty; daughter, Alexandra Lafferty, who was named after her grandfather; her sisters, Francis Riggs, Margaret-Ann Migwi; sister, Maryann Lafferty; and cousin Marilyn Erasmus; and my CA, Pascal Erasmus; and I see Carl Yakeleya in the House, too. I'd like to recognize them. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Bill Enge, president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Mr. Mark Whitford, vice-president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Mr. Alan Harman, secretary-treasurer of the North Slave Metis Alliance, and Mr. Arnold Enge, director with the North Slave Metis Alliance. Thank you very much for being here today.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you. I'd like to recognize Carl Lafferty, who is Carl Yakeleya. Sorry, I should know better. Carl and I went to residential school in Inuvik there back in olden days. Now Carl is an excellent proposal writer and using his schooling talent as a student engineering and helping out the community development progress. Mahsi.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize the North Slave Metis Alliance, the board of directors, Mr. Bill Enge, personal friend, Mark Whitford, Arnold Enge, and Alan Harman. They were strong supporters through my campaign and they are still strong supporters to this day. I appreciate all you've done to support me. I wouldn't be here without you.

I also want to recognize some personal and family friends who are in the audience; Ms. Francis Lafferty, I apologize if you have a different last name, I've always known you as Francis Lafferty; Cindy Jeske, I saw, and Marilyn Erasmus; and I can't see behind me. I apologize if there are other members in the audience who I cannot see who I know as family friends. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge my constituent Arnold Angie and thank him for all the work he does on behalf of the North Slave Metis. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to recognize and welcome the members here from the North Slave Metis Alliance, but also recognize one of my life-long friends, Arnold Angie. Welcome and thank you for being here.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank two of our Pages this week, Jed Mitchell and Joel Rimer from PWK School in Fort Smith, and recognize Clarence Rimer, their chaperone who is in the gallery.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, it is always great to have visitors as part of our gallery. Masi. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, Northerners have clearly stated that they want government to take an informed and active role on cannabis awareness, particularly for youth. My question is: what efforts is the Minister making to ensure various kinds of cannabis education materials are ready to go when legalization happens? Thank you.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of things happening, both at a national level as well as the territorial level. There are a lot of good documents out there that we are looking to find ways to share, distribute, and make people aware of. At the same time, we have started developing a campaign within the Department of Health and Social Services focused on not just but primarily on the impacts of cannabis on the developing brain.

We have developed a proposal and submitted it to the federal government asking for $2 million over the next five years to do this work and get that information out. Obviously, we are not waiting for that to be approved. We are trying to compile other information sources, other data sources, and other ad campaigns that are out there to make sure we are getting as much information out as possible. We haven't rolled out a significant amount at this point, but we are planning to do more over the coming months, up until the time it goes live, and obviously after, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that response. Has the Minister considered using materials from another sources such as the one I referenced from Drug Free Kids Canada?

As I said, there are a lot of organizations out there like Drug Free Canada who have already done really, really good work as far as putting together information in a readable, usable format. The materials that the Member has referred to are actually available on the Drugs Free Kids Canada organization website where you see the brochure, but you can also order it online and get copies for yourself.

I do have a copy myself. I have talked to the department since the Member and I have talked to see what we can do to get a quantity of those materials to distribute among stakeholders throughout the Northwest Territories. I don't know what the catch is. I know it is free. Hopefully, we will be able to do it. We are exploring that, as well.

I wonder if the Minister can tell us what role his department will have with schools and teachers in cannabis education.

When it comes to public health and prevention, encouraging people to live healthy lifestyles, it is certainly a responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Services. As we have moved forward with other initiatives like Healthy Family and those types of things, we have worked with our partner departments. We see an opportunity here and a need, obviously, to work with Education, Culture and Employment to get that information out to youth and others. We will certainly be working with Education, Culture and Employment.

Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that answer. The Minister mentioned that there was an application to the federal government for $2 million over five years. Is there any additional money being budgeted for public education in the next fiscal year, or is everything dependent on Canada saying yes to this proposal? Thank you.

We have estimated some costs for enforcement-related activities that Health and Social Services are responsible for, complaints-based reviews of cannabis use in communities and whatnot. We believe we have enough money in our existing budget to do that work. If the demand proves higher than we expect as far as complaints, we will certainly have to explore new options.

When it comes to advertising, we do have the application out to the federal government for $2 million. The federal government announced in their budget that they do have some money available for this type of thing. We are hoping to get that money. If we don't get that money, or don't get all of that money, we will certainly be having discussions with the FMBS and Members to see about exploring new opportunities for revenue. At this point, I believe we are on the right track. Should we need more, we will certainly be looking for it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today in my Member's statement I talked about some unique challenges of what happens with youth who become wards of the department. I have some questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. My first question: when it comes to treatment programs, why would we send youth down south instead of using the resources in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for youth who may require treatment services, every youth will be assessed on their individual needs. There is a care plan that will be developed for every youth based on those. We try really hard to match their needs with a range of programs and services that are available. This includes services that are both available in the Northwest Territories but also services that are available in the South. If the needs can be met in the North, we send them to programs in the North. If they can't or they don't believe that they can be met with programs in the North, we send them to programs in the South. It is a bit of both, and it is based on the individual and their care plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that answer. Like I said, we had some challenges in trying to find out information with youth who are involved with the department. Can the Minister please tell us what policies are used to deal with youth who are the ward of the department? In other words, if the department has to step in and take the child, what policy is in place to ensure the parents, legal guardians, grandparents are informed of any decisions and/or issues that involve the youth?

With Building Stronger Families, which is our new approach on Child and Family Services, our first priority is really to try and keep families together and not result in apprehension situations. We have already started to see a decrease in the number of apprehensions, more voluntary agreements, more mediation, and fewer families being taken apart. However, yes, from time to time, we will still need to bring children into care.

Our work is directed by the Child and Family Services Act and all of the relevant standards within. Our focus is obviously in the best interest of the child and protecting children, as well as providing them with the services for the children as well as the families. The level of engagement with the family is really dependent on the many dynamics that may exist that are considered by all of our professional childcare protection staff as part of the assessment that I previously mentioned, as well as in the development of the care plan.

Our preference is always to work with the families as well as the kin, extended families. Sometimes there are reasons why doing this is not seen to be in the child's best interest and where sharing information could possibly create a risk of harm to the child. Those things must also be considered. I would be happy to read out the sections of the legislation that outline this exact information. It is in the Child and Family Services Act, in sections 71 through 74. I imagine that would take me longer than the time we have. I would encourage the Member and anybody from the public who is interested in the legislation to check out those sections.

I again thank the Minister for that answer. I appreciate that, and I will be able to get that information to the parents and guardians in future. Mr. Speaker, if a youth becomes a ward of the department, can the youth sign the third-party consent form so information is shared with their legal guardians, parents, grandparents, and the person's MLA? Presently, we cannot seem to understand who can get this information out there.

I wish there was a really simple answer to this one, but there is not. It really is dependent on the individual and whether or not they have the capacity to understand the consent that they are signing. A youth can sign their own consent when it is deemed that they actually have the capacity to understand what they are signing and the ramifications of signing, and so, when a youth does need support through an independent voice, we can and we do utilize the children's lawyer to help determine whether they have the capacity to do that. If the capacity is there, absolutely, they can sign their own consent. If not, then we would engage the child's lawyer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I raised some concerns I have heard from the North Slave Metis Alliance. Just to summarize, Mr. Speaker, the courts have found in favour of the NSMA many times, and it is clear that the issue of their constitutional rights needs to be settled clearly once and for all with a strength-of-claim assessment from this government and from the federal government. So I would like to ask the Premier in his capacity as Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs if a strength-of-claim assessment could be brought forward for the North Slave Metis Alliance? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. The Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to advise the Member that yesterday the North Slave Metis Alliance filed their statement of claim to the Government of Canada. It is our government's position that all Indigenous Aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories should have their Aboriginal and treaty rights clarified and confirmed in modern agreements.

I think that is a sound policy position for this government to take on this issue of reconciliation, but, you know, it is fairly self-evident from the court cases that have gone on from the position of the North Slave Metis Alliance that they are very distinct from the NWT Metis Nation. They are two different entities and should be given equal treatment from both this government and federal government in the Metis agreement in principle. So is the Premier willing to open up those discussions and allow the North Slave Metis Alliance to pursue their own approach rather than being forced into the AIP as it is presented?

Both the governments of the Northwest Territories and Canada participated in a recent meeting involving the North Slave Metis Alliance and the Northwest Territories Metis Nation, and both the North Slave Metis Alliance and the NWT Metis Nation advised both governments that neither group would stand in the way of the other confirming their Aboriginal rights in a modern agreement, and I cannot see why we would stand in the way.

I just want to clarify so the Premier understands me clearly, but currently there has not been a process launched for the North Slave Metis Alliance. They have been asked. The only avenue for them forward is to join the Metis nation AIP. So what I am asking the Premier is if he will start the process of fully recognizing their rights with a strength-of-claim assessment so that they can move on with any claim they might make to their own agreement, their own self-government, agreement, their own deal?

Once again, I reiterate that the North Slave Metis Alliance filed their statement of claim to the federal government yesterday. As well, the Government of the Northwest Territories has completed the preliminary assessment of the North Slave Metis Alliance asserting Aboriginal rights claims and is in the process of disclosing these findings to the North Slave Metis Alliance.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and that is good news. What is the government's position on the statement of claim that the North Slave Metis have filed with the federal government? Thank you.

It would be premature for me to disclose the findings before we disclose them to the North Slave Metis Alliance, but we are certainly, as I said, supportive of all Aboriginal groups having their rights clarified. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure. There has been an oversubscription in many Arctic Energy Alliance programs for years, and now there is a waiting list. As we enter the last month of the fiscal year, can the Minister swiftly determine whether there are any unexpended funds across his department that could be re-profiled into the alliance budget to fund those applications on the waiting list? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to inform the Member that Infrastructure does not have any available funds ourselves, but, as of such, I have had a few emails lately about this program, and I have asked the department to check with the Arctic Energy Alliance to check within if any unsubscribed funds from any other programs would become available. We are also checking with other partners and other departments if there are any other funds that might become available that we can use to meet the needs for this fiscal year.

That is a good response. I thank the Minister for that, and, if he could let this side of the House know if he is able to come up with any money, that would be great. The draft NWT energy strategy paints a hopeful picture of future access to federal funds. I am concerned that, when federal funds are on offer for this essential need, we do not leave them on the table for lack of matching funding from our government. Sometimes federal dollars provide a convenient excuse for our government to cut its appropriation, as we have seen with boreal caribou monitoring and other programs. Can the Minister tell us whether there have been any approaches to the federal government to increase alliance funding, by how much, and when we will get a response?

Yes, I can update the House. We have applied under a federal program. It is called the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. Under this fund, we want to be able to enhance the Arctic Energy Alliance. We are going to hear back on this program here very soon. What we have asked for out of that fund is $7.5 million, and we will match $2.5 million, which will double AEA's profile of money for the next four years if we were to be successful on this application.

I seem to be on a roll with the Minister, so I will keep going. I am sure he will let us know when we are going to get a response from the federal government. The Minister informed the House of an alliance program review which is nearing completion. Can the Minister tell us when this completed review will be available for study by the standing committee and how the Minister will work with the committee to incorporate Members' input into the proposals for a redesign of alliance programs?

Yes, we are currently reviewing them. We have almost done our first draft of this report. It is going to be completed shortly, and we will probably be sharing that later on this spring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Thanks to the Minister for that. Hope springs eternal. Finally, I mentioned the waiting list for alliance programs where some residents already made investments and were then denied rebates. Will the Minister allow these applications for alliance rebates to be carried over and funded using 2018-2019 funds? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Arctic Energy Alliance relies on annual funding approved by the Legislative Assembly, and that is how we bring this forward, but we are doing our review. As we said, we are going to have a look. One of the things that we are looking at is how we optimize the program delivery, which will include whether we need to change the level of funding on some of these programs. Maybe we get rid of some programs, maybe we add some programs, but there are no plans to stray away from the fiscal year approach to how we do our programming and apply the money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I already spoke about conservation and the roles of Indigenous people, and my questions are for the Minister of ENR. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how does ENR ensure that relevant Indigenous parties are represented at the table when establishing co-management boards? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is committed to an inclusive and collaborative approach to wildlife management, and we are considered leaders in wildlife co-management. ENR has actually written a book on how to manage wildlife collaboratively, and we continue to work with our partners to refine and improve the process.

In settled land claims area, renewal resource boards have been established as a main instrument of wildlife management, and representation is defined in the land claim itself.

I appreciate the response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us of an example which his department gave Indigenous groups authority to jointly create collaborative decision-making instruments such as co-management boards or any types of agreements?

I have a number of examples I can use. The barren-ground caribou are one of the most important species for NWT residents. That goes without saying. The GNWT has worked incredibly closely and collaborative with communities and renewable resource boards and Indigenous governments and organizations. The four renewable resource boards in the settled land claims area are the main instruments of wildlife management, and play a leading role in caribou management and recovery effort.

I appreciate the response. My statement earlier likely involves the federal government, and as well, collaboration with the GNWT on high seas fisheries. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is: what are some of the concerns and/or benefits the Minister sees with this new agreement coming into force this year with respect to the protection of marine ecosystems in the Northwest Territories?

Fisheries is currently a federal responsibility, and the GNWT has yet to negotiate a co-management of the Beaufort offshore, which remains a federal jurisdiction. However, I can point out that we have had exploratory discussions with the federal government on that. We are one of, I think, only two jurisdictions in Canada that have yet to negotiate that with the federal government. I will keep the Member in the House informed as to the discussions we have with the federal government as we go forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I spoke about the need to create jobs in the communities and the need to support our youth so that they can become the true incubators and facilitators of opportunity in the small communities. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

We keep talking about the need to diversify our economy, and I think we are doing a lot of good things in different areas to do that, but the challenge as I see it is still: how are we going to get many of our young creative thinkers in the communities to bring forward their ideas and have them supported and nurtured? Can the Minister tell the House what programs or initiatives his department has that can help young entrepreneurs in small communities turn their ideas into reality? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm looking forward to what other questions the Member is going to have here on this as well, because this is something that has always been very important to me. Being a small business guy myself and how I got to where I am, this is a conversation that I am glad we are going to have in this House today.

The department has a number of things. We have our SEED program and these things as such, but to get young people involved in the business community and to become entrepreneurs in our society is not just my role as the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. I think a big part of it is with the Minister of Education and Employment.

I continue to harp and bring to the table around the SNAP program. I think that's one of the best programs that we have within our government to get young people involved in business and find a career that they might be interested in. I can say, as a Cabinet Member travelling around the Northwest Territories, I want to commend and thank the school of Fort Good Hope because, when we went there, they have a bagel program, which doesn't sound very complicated, but when you stand here and think about it for a second, a principal there took on a bagel program that takes them to the young students to that school right to the whole step from ordering their own flour, to buying their machines, to producing the product, to packaging it, to marketing it, to bringing it to the stores, and setting up deals to be able to sell these sorts of things. These are the types of programs, I think, as a government as a whole we need to promote as leaders in this Assembly, and leaders in the communities need to focus on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you to the Minister for his reply. Yes, concept to completion and getting it out to market is key, and it is well appreciated. I am happy to hear that this is going on in our communities. That is what the line of questioning is about today, and the old saying is that two minds are better than one. I would like to ask the Minister: how are we connecting youth in our communities with other like-minded people so that the collaboration can take place, and fostering of ideas can be grown upon? In other words, what types of networks are available for young entrepreneurs or young entrepreneurial-minded people?

A couple of examples that I just talked about. The SNAP program is very important, I feel, especially for young people who want to go into not just business but a career. We have the Future Entrepreneur Program within the BDIC that they do. The Member is well aware of that. I think he has actually spoken at some of those sessions, but that is focused more on people 18 to 39 years old, which is very important for entrepreneurs because that is the age that you are probably going to start thinking about, or go into business. My point being, though, today was: how are we going to get even younger people involved in this, and how do we get them thinking about that? One of the magazines, and most Members in this House don't know that I read, I read Success magazine all the time. It is something I just talked about recently with my wife that I want to talk to the Minister of Education about, they have under there, the Success Foundation. This is based on teens. It is an eight-principle pillar thing, and it gets the creative mind going for young people. What it takes to achieve goals, pursue a career, become a more productive citizens, and stuff, and I want to have a conversation with the Minister of Education of how we can maybe incorporate this into some of our schools in the Northwest Territories to create the next version of entrepreneurs for the Northwest Territories.

Yes, these are the kinds of answers that I'd like to hear. I appreciate the Minister giving that reply; building connections and building networks for young entrepreneurial-minded people to grow their ideas is very important.

Let's go back to the communities. If someone has an idea, what availability do they have in terms of access to those who might know a little bit better who can support them in development of safe business plans or for support for their financing the idea or that sort of thing? Are there any kind of mentors or programs of that nature that are accessible at the community level?

We have ITI staffing in most of the regional centres. Some of the smaller communities, that's going to be a little bit tougher. They are going to have to reach out to the regional centres to be able to do that, but we are willing to assist in any way we can. I know BDIC has their online programming, as well. Like I have said, though, future entrepreneur and these sorts of things tend to focus on 18 to 39 year-olds. Entrepreneurship is for everybody who wants to enter it. There are people who want to become entrepreneurs later in life. We are out there to help them, and my best suggestion is, depending on the age, you might want to reach out to the principal of your school, or your councillor, a local businessperson. Where do we go to help you to move this centre and find a mentor, possibly, to help you deal with that? It is a complicated maze of things that you have to do to become an entrepreneur, but the number one thing that I always promote to any youth who I'm talking to is always do something that you love doing and it will not be a job.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for his reply. Now, let's say somebody has the good idea of let's say they have done the plan. Let's say they have the funds. Now they were about ready to make the product, but they need a market for that product, Mr. Speaker. What are we going to do to help promote and market products that are coming out of the North? There is a lot of creativity. There are a lot of different ideas, but we need exposure. I'd like to know what our government has in terms of program services, any kinds of resources that a young mind in the community can take advantage of to expose their product to the market outside the borders of their community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Within the SEED program, there is a marketing component that the entrepreneurs can reach out to. I know it's one program that's not used widely across the Northwest Territories, because when I was in business, I know I used it and it was something that was very undersubscribed. There is an opportunity there for entrepreneurs within our territory to be able to reach out to the department to access this money. It's used for a number of things. You can go to conferences to learn about our trade shows, to learn about the product that you're moving, or equipment that you need to buy to produce a product. There is a program there and it is undersubscribed, and I would appreciate if people would use it a little more so they can get their markets to other markets. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to return to an issue that I brought up many, many times in this House: ground ambulance and highway rescue services. As we all know by now, the responsibility for the provision of these services is in a regulatory grey zone. Essentially, no one has been assigned responsibility. That's why we hear stories about people being injured in vehicle accidents who get transported to the nursing station on a quad.

When you consider that 27 communities, last I heard, don't have any type of ground ambulance and that the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway recently opened and that there are more highways on the horizon, it's time that we have a plan, and one that is adequately funded. Luckily, I've heard that the department is taking these issues seriously and there is probably more work being done now than there has been in quite a while.

I have some questions for the Minister of MACA. I'll just start with a simple one: what work has been done on the plan to address this issue as of now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I concur with the MLA that highway rescue is an area that we need to put a lot of focus in. This government is actually focusing on it and looking at drafting a plan for the future. What have we done so far? We have done extensive consultation with key municipal bodies. We have done consultation with other governments of the Northwest Territories, with departments, with law enforcement stakeholders. We've research the standards and best practices throughout different jurisdictions. We've looked at comparative models that are being utilized throughout Canada. We've identified gaps that we notice are happening and we're now in the process of looking at possible solutions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It sounds like the department is doing a lot of work. When can we expect to see something either brought to this House or committee?

Right now, we're looking at hopefully the completion of a baseline report by the end of March or early April, we're shooting for. There was some difficulty in completing the research, so I'm going to state it here. We have had trouble determining the true costs of doing business on the highway rescues, and that's because, for some of the communities, not all of them, but some of the communities that we are funding to provide this service recently, or over the years, they haven't tracked the ambulance costs separately in their financial reporting, nor did they separate the costs for the equipment and the calls related to ground ambulance or the cost recovery. This made a little bit of a glitch in our research. We're trying to work with that, looking at different methods and trying to figure out calculating what that true cost would be. That is something that's a little bit of a difficulty, and it's really critical in actually ascertaining what the costs in the future will be. We're looking at different research models to be able to give a good estimate of what that will cost. Then, like I said, we're hoping that preliminary findings will be done by the end of March or the beginning of April.

The Minister was questioned on this at the recent NWT Association of Communities meeting in Hay River. She admitted that the funding that's currently provided is inadequate, and it's too late, I guess, going forward to change it for 2018-2019. What would the Minister suggest is adequate funding?

I want to start talking about the NWT Association of Communities. When I said that the funding was inadequate, I did also state that some municipalities were really good at getting the cost recovery back. The City of Yellowknife is a prime example. They have not experienced a shortfall. They are actually really good at getting their cost recovery back. The Municipality of Hay River, on the other hand, does have difficulties with that; they were the ones that brought it to my attention that we need to do some work on that.

When I talk about inadequate funding, that is because, I mean, we have a highway to Tuktoyaktuk now. We're building a highway to Whati. Those weren't considered, so those need to be considered with that.

What will be an adequate level of financial provision? That is to be ascertained when the findings come in. Like I said, it's been really difficult to find out what the financial costs have been because some communities haven't separated that. They've just put that into a general pot. We are in the process of trying to figure that out now. As soon as I find out, I'm hoping that I will release it to my colleague on this side, and we will hopefully present it to the standing committee as soon as possible, hopefully this spring.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up some questions with the Health and Social Services Minister in regard to the comment he said in regard to lawyers: does each child who is apprehended, do they get appointed a lawyer all the time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's too bad the red light didn't stay on as I was sitting down after I answered that last question. I said the child's lawyer in the last response, when I was actually meaning to say was the children's lawyer, which is actually a position that exists in the Department of Justice. It was created to provide support to youth so that their voices could be heard, whether it's through a family law case going through the courts, but also for Child and Family Services. To make sure the child's voice could be heard when necessary, they can access the child's lawyer. That wouldn't be a child's lawyer. A child could get a lawyer through other means if they choose, if they have the capacity to do so, but a children's lawyer is something that actually exists to make sure that their voices are heard through court proceedings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the Minister for that clarification. It does help a bit. In regard to this children's lawyer, are the youth able to communicate with this lawyer to say that they can share their story with their parents or their guardian?

For specifics on what the children's lawyer does in the Northwest Territories, I would suggest that you're best off asking the Minister of Justice, who is responsible for that position. It's not a Health and Social Services position. I do know from time to time, when there are Child and Family Services issues before the courts, the children's lawyer can be accessed to provide some support to the youth to help them make sure that their voice is heard in the court of proceedings.

When it comes to the question that the Member asked previously about the ability of a child to sign a third-party consent, if a child is deemed to have the capacity to understand what they're signing and the ramifications, they can sign. If there are some question about whether or not they have the capacity, we can engage the children's lawyer, who can work with the youth to help us determine whether the child has the capacity to understand what they're doing. If they do, they sign. If not, they wouldn't necessarily be able to sign consent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that answer. The question comes down to: when we are talking about "capacity," are we talking about mental capacity, or are we just talking about age capacity? Sometimes, you have to be 14, 16, or is it mental capacity we are talking about?

It is more focused on the ability of the child to understand exactly what they are signing. Sometimes, a young child will understand. Other times, they will not. The same is true for an older child. Sometimes an older child, depending on a number of issues, may understand, and others may not. It is a difficult area. You want to be careful. You want to make sure you are being fair to everybody. That is where the children's lawyer can really help out.

Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Nahendeh

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that explanation. It does help. It gets that information out there so people understand it better. I guess my last question is: if the youth's parent/legal guardian can't sign the consent form and they don't use the children's lawyer, can the department sign the consent form so the information can be shared with the guardians and their MLA? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The question is a little confusing insofar as, if the system is the guardian, the system is the guardian. If it is parents, if the parents or the legal guardians are the guardians, they would sign consent. If the system is the legal guardian, the director would be the individual who would be responsible for signing. There are times that the director can sign consent, but it really depends on the nature of the discussions or information that are being had.

For instance, there are lots of times the consent can be shared or signed or provided by the director to share information around things like treatments or trips or other general information. There are other times when it may not be appropriate. In the situation of a child who is under the care of the director, the director is in a sense their parent and guardian. There are different situations, different scenarios.

In Child and Family Services and Building Stronger Families, we are really trying to work with families and keep families united and try to keep them informed. There are some challenges and limitations there. Once again, I would encourage the Member to review sections 71 through 74 of the act, which outline some of this information. Once again, I would read it, but I see we only have 18 minutes left on the clock. I am pretty sure nobody wants me to do that, so I won't.

I am happy to meet with the standing committee to have some conversations about this type of stuff and the limitations that are on it, as well as provide an update at any time on Building Stronger Families. We will be tabling the director's report this session. It might be a great time for us to get together and have another conversation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.