Bob Bromley

That’s all I have. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks. I’m willing to accept an estimate. We certainly know what the department has increased each year; it’s reported in these big thick documents. So just apply that and compare that to the 2.2 percent with it. That would be good to know.

It’s something obviously we’ve been talking about for a long time. I know we were actively negotiating pushing in the 16th and I’d love to hear that we’re still getting serious with the federal government on this. Thank you.

I believe I heard that this represents 95 percent of the costs, these two figures added together, about $30 million of some costs and we pay the other 5 percent and perhaps that expense is listed in here somewhere. Maybe the Minister can give me a heads-up on where that shows up in our O and M on the other side of the equation here. But I’m assuming that there are other costs beyond these. How and where are they covered?

Mr. Speaker, I understand, again, that these meetings have been happening with the working group. I understand that those are those people with Aboriginal treaty rights and responsibilities for wildlife management. As we know, problems developed during the Wildlife Act. They were always leaving out consultations with those without those rights until very late in the game where their input becomes ineffective and the result, of course, is unnecessary tension and division. I am sure that is not the intent of the Minister, but the Minister is well aware of this.

What is the Minister going to do to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to item 7 on the Order Paper. Mahsi.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thanks to the Minister again. I’m not aware of any briefings to committee on this, or any offer, but I appreciate that offer now. This House, I believe, is on record on wanting input into the development of regulations for this act and also the Heritage Fund Act.

How has the Minister started work on this approach and what groups have been contacted so far? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Wildlife Act was recently passed by this House after many years of effort, but it left many of the tough decisions to regulations, which must be developed for implementation of the law.

Can the Minister of the Environment provide an update on the development of these regulations to date? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with some sadness and appreciation that I rise to report that this past Saturday a well-known and colourful Weledeh constituent “Stan the Man” Larocque passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Stanton Territorial Hospital.

Mr. Larocque was 94 years old and was known as a real northern character. He made his way north in the late ‘30s when Yellowknife was just beginning as a gold mining town. He worked on the early cat trains, hauling freight across Great Slave on sledges pulled by a bulldozer. Known for his good sense of humour, you could often...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There’s certainly a little overlap. I know the Minister is hearing that, so I’ll try not to repeat too much. This department is up 8 percent in budget and that’s the reality, but it is a high increase this year. Although I do note, as I think it’s been noted, that the Territorial Health System Sustainability Initiative funding came in after this budget was drafted, so I’ll be looking for an update when we get into detail. Just a heads up there.

I notice in the directorate that it’s up 25 percent over two years, which is not typical of the rest of the divisions. On closer...

Mr. Speaker, thanks for the Minister’s response. The Minister has already met with the working group on defining the issues. Would the Minister meet next, before the working group, to get the contribution of those without Aboriginal and treaty rights on defining what the issues are to be addressed in the regs? Mahsi.