Bob Bromley

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I see we’re up 20 positions for the department as a whole. So, are the additional 11… I’m assuming they’re non-devolution positions. Maybe I could just get a little descriptor of those. Thank you.

Yes, that would certainly be unique, so I appreciate that, Mr. Chair.

Just what role would this division play with oil and gas developments such as are ongoing in the Sahtu right now? Is what we are inheriting here, are they already at work in the Sahtu area with respect to oil and gas? Thank you.

Thanks to the Minister. When the Minister says the new conservation assessment and monitoring division will ensure the environment is seriously considered and regional land use planning and the review of proposed developments, that’s sort of sounding like Alberta. They seriously consider things and typically reject the environmental concerns. As the Minister knows, they’ll let other jurisdictions look after Boreal caribou and the Jack Pine Mine and so on; these are all acceptable in the interests of economic development.

I just would like to have the Minister define what he means by seriously...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I had no idea that Mr. Applejohn was our senior science advisor, but it’s interesting to know we have one and that might be interesting to pursue at some point but not here.

I believe, given that we are the authority over greenhouse gas emissions, and we’re doing some good work internally, but we still aren’t doing anything for outreach to speak of other than our incentive programs. The Arctic Energy Alliance is doing some work there. With the Diavik wind project we know that it’s possible to do significant work in that area, but it seems to have to be done voluntarily...

I didn’t hear what the units were for the $28 million. Was that the total litres of fuel consumed that year? Thank you.

Thanks for that information. Where are we at on the environmental audit? I believe there is one in progress here, but there are sections that are wanting to be completed and overdue. Do we know where that’s at and do we have funding in this budget to complete that process? Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the Minister. For example, type A and B water licences coordinating the process for Ministerial approval. What exactly does that mean and what role does this Minister play?

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the update. Not unlike previous year’s updates. Will it happen this year?

Sorry, Mr. Chair, did you want me to run through all of my comments? I’m easy which way we do it.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hunters have a saying that tracks make for thin soup, and that is exactly what the Minister has provided to the hunters. Pretty thin soup here. I have to say it’s interesting that this government is willing to bend over backwards to help one group of people and do nothing but create barriers for another group. Just a comment there.

I’d like to talk about the Yellowknives Dene First Nations work with the department. They’ve been trying to work cooperatively with the department and had an agreement with the department for three years running, and all of a sudden the...