Thank you, Minister. Anything further? Next on my list I have the Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My questions are along the same lines as my colleague from Yellowknife North. Has the Minister of Finance entered into any kind of discussion with the Government of Canada in regard to the cost of cannabis? One of the reasons that we legalized cannabis was to provide for greater safety for our residents, in order to make sure that we were supplying them with a safe product; but, when the product is priced much higher than the black market, it doesn't accomplish that goal. So, are we having conversations about the cost of legal cannabis versus the cost of black market cannabis? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. That is a topic of conversation that came up at the Ministers' meeting for Ministers of Finance, so again, as I alluded to in my first answer, some of these challenges are being faced by other jurisdictions, other provinces and territories. So, to that end, it is a conversation that's being had. One of the examples for it being for the regulated cannabis, some of the regulations require packaging and labelling that is, no doubt, of a stricter standard than what the black market would be. Again, there are some challenges being faced, but there are some jurisdictions that are finding their revenues are closer to what was projected. There is work to be done, and there is work that can be done. It will be something that I will have to continue to be engaged with at the federal, provincial, and territorial level. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My next question is in regard to private retailers. About a year ago, we heard conversations from the GNWT in regard to opening the market up for private retailers within the Northwest Territories. I'm wondering where we are within that conversation and how that will affect our cannabis sales that are reflected here in the main estimates. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The RFP process was due to come out early this calendar year, and it is behind schedule. I'm conscious that it's behind schedule, and the department is conscious that it's behind schedule. So, when is it due to come out exactly? At this point, I'm more hesitant to put a deadline on it, other than to say that, when we're already behind schedule, we don't want to be more behind schedule. It's coming. It will be out in due course. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Member for Kam Lake.

Sorry, just so that I'm clear: there is a request for proposal process? It's not a request for interest process? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Finance.

Madam Chair, thank you. There was actually a request for qualifications process that was under way earlier in the 2019 year. That process is complete. The next stage was for an actual request for proposals for the prospective retailers, and it's that second stage that has been delayed that was supposed to be out this January. That has been delayed somewhat. We are at stage 2. There have already been some anticipated retailers who met the qualifications, and they're now being invited back to bid on the next stage as soon as that is available. As I have said, again, I am alive to the fact that that has been promised now for some time. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Just as a comment, that process might not be reflected as accurately as possible within the Liquor and Cannabis Commission's website, so maybe we could look at updating that so that it's clearer to people who are interested in pursuing that business opportunity. I am wondering when the Minister thinks that people will be able to look into opening retail stores for cannabis. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Perhaps I will say that, within the course of the current session, if the situation hasn't improved, I will make sure that the Member is made aware of it, so that she has time to take me to task for it on the floor. I am hopeful that she won't have to do that. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Member for Kam Lake.

I appreciate that. It's just an opportunity to update people on business opportunities within our communities. No further questions on this one. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Are there any further questions on the Liquor and Cannabis Revolving Fund? If not, we will return to page 133, the departmental summary. Are there any questions on the departmental summary? Member for Frame Lake.

Thanks, Madam Chair. Presumably, we're dealing with all of these pages right now? I just want to get that checked. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Finance. My multitasking isn't working so well right at the moment. Member for Frame Lake.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I'm just wondering if I can ask questions now about the revenue summary page and the borrowing plan page? This is the time? Okay, thank you. With regard to the revenue summary page, the Minister said in her opening address on the budget, I guess it was a couple of days ago or whatever, that she was prepared to go out and lead some public consultations around budgets in the future. I just want to get some assurance that that will include opportunities for the public and some ideas for the public to discuss around revenue options. Thanks, Madam Chair. Can I get that confirmed by the Minister? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Finance.

Yes, Madam Chair. I am happy to confirm that. We will prepare some sort of structure around those options and engage with the committee, and then, ultimately, the intention is to take that into a public forum so that we can have that kind of dialogue about revenue options. Thank you, Madam Chair.