Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Members. Mr. Speaker, the residents of Sachs Harbour are entitled to the same level of public protection that all the residents of Canada expect. Sometimes belonging to a society has a cost; a cost this government should be prepared to bear. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I’ve decided to reflect back on 2005. Mr. Speaker, many elders in Nunakput passed away in 2005. In particular, my sister Annie Noksana and Uncle Bobby Taylor-Pokiak. My thoughts are with these families and I hope 2006 will bring a prosperous year.

Mr. Speaker, elections for municipal councils were also held in 2005. To the mayors and councils elected in Nunakput, I look forward to working with you during the life of this 15th Assembly. To the people of Sachs Harbour, thank you for your warm hospitality during my recent visit.

Mr. Speaker, also to those...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize one of my sisters here in the gallery, Mrs. Molly Nogasak. With her is her daughter, Priscilla Nogasak. I would also like to recognize Mrs. Brenda Dillon, CA for Mr. Roland. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Minister.

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort in the witnesses.

Mr. Minister, can you please introduce your staff.

Good afternoon, committee members. We can proceed now with Bill 9 from Friday. Mr. Minister, would you like to resume your seat?

Mr. Minister, would you like to bring in witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to discuss an important issue that is of concern to my constituents and the residents of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I am talking about the recent decline of the caribou. The decline in the number of caribou, in particular the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose West and Bluenose east herds. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a photo census survey in July 2005. The numbers, to date, for Cape Bathurst are 10,013 to 2,362 from 2000 to 2005; Bluenose West, 74,273 to 20,801; and the Bluenose East, from 104,000 to 66,584 from 2000...

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Braden.

We are on general comments. Mr. Braden.