Bob Bromley

Thank you. We’ll proceed with general comments. First we will call a short break.

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So I will anticipate that the government is planning to present their positions in the final arguments at the April public hearings. I’d just like confirmation on that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to conclude my questions on the Joint Review Panel report to the Minister. We’ve heard some of the questions that my colleague Ms. Bisaro has raised and so on; the 3 percent cap in the future. Many of the items in the recommendations are costly to the government: establish landscape thresholds and limits of change, arrange management plans and monitoring for Barren Land caribou, grizzly bear, polar bear and so on, land use plans, timber feasibility studies, training programs, drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs and facilities, et cetera. Often very...

Thanks to the Minister for that. Can the Minister commit to making this financial analysis public, especially before a Cabinet decision is made on the Joint Review Panel recommendations so that the public can have some input and response to the government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request agreement to go back to item 7 on the orders of the day. Thank you.

I would appreciate it if the Minister would find out whether we are intending to invoke the consult to modify process and if we do, will the Minister commit to making such proposed changes public at the time that they may be transmitted to the Joint Review Panel so that our public can participate meaningfully in the review process? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Menicoche. Seeing no other general comments on the slate, perhaps I’ll call on Mr. Ramsay for any motions he might be considering.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are intended to try and bring as much transparency as possible to the GNWT’s role in responding to the Joint Review Panel report. My first question is to the lead Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Could he describe the process that the GNWT will use to respond to the Joint Review Panel report and recommendations? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that had there been meaningful engagement, the Yellowknives Dene have the authority and would have been a meaningful partner in implementing the action required. My final question is: what plans does the government have for coming out of this ban with a new and even revolutionary approach to ensuring future cooperation that is effective and prevents such new confrontations? Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, given that there is no land claim settlement or binding co-management process with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Chief Drygeese region and that the Yellowknives Dene stated its opposition before the ban was announced, what authority does GNWT have to implement this ban? Thank you.