Calvin Pokiak

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to speak in regard to the Species at Risk Act. During a northern leaders conference in Inuvik, Members of Cabinet and some Regular Members met with the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in and the Tlicho leadership to discuss the Species at Risk Act. Madam Speaker, the leaders at this meeting are frustrated with the amount of time this government is taking to move forward with the Species at Risk Act.

Madam Speaker, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources committed to move forward with this SARA by holding a meeting with the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in, Tlicho...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one last question with regard to the devolution agreement. When you talked about a devolution AIP being signed by the spring, we are at the end of May now. We are pretty well past spring and looking into summer. So when are we actually going to get that AIP in place? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a couple of quick comments in regard to the opening statements by the Ministers. I made it clear that it’s very important that we move forward with the Mackenzie Valley pipeline issue. It’s too bad that we sort of are reacting to something that Imperial Oil put upon us here in regard to the announcement they made. So we’re put into a place where we’re reacting to something that we should have been prepared for.

Mr. Chairman, there are a couple of things I would like to touch on. One is a question for the Premier on his sessional statement. Again, in his talks...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to thank Mr. Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh, and Premier Handley, as well as my colleague Sandy Lee for attending the Deh Cho First Nations leadership meeting in Fort Liard. As a Member from the Far North, it was a pleasure to attend the leadership meeting.

Madam Speaker, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian was a very good host and allowed us to make a short speech. Madam Speaker, as the Member for Nunakput, the Mackenzie Valley pipeline is very important to the Beaufort-Delta people. My support for the process was relayed to the Deh Cho First Nations leadership.

Madam...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a quick question on Minister’s Statement 3-15(4) with regard to fiscal update. I’m just wondering if the Minister of Finance can indicate to us if that panel has been formed yet to visit the issue of formula financing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m well aware of some of the funding that’s been made available right now, Mr. Chairman, but I think the question I have for the Premier is I’m talking about the money we’re talking about with regard to the social impacts that are concerns for the aboriginal groups. I am well aware of the Northern Strategy money that’s available to this House, but my question is specifically about what was actually talked about in Calgary with the Deputy Prime Minister as to how much money is available for this government to address the socioeconomic impacts. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that pursuant to section 61 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, that Elaine Keenan-Bengts be appointed as Access to Information and Privacy Commissioner; and further that the appointment be effective July 1, 2005. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thanks for the information, Mr. Minister. I think living way up there you depend a lot on the weather I guess. It’s good to hear, as the Minister just reported, that they are planning to go up there. I think once the inspection is complete and the renovations are done, the whole community and people in Sachs Harbour will be very happy to be able to utilize the health centre. So I’m taking the Minister’s word, Madam Speaker, that they are trying to get into Sachs Harbour. We can’t fight with Mother Nature. So I would just like to say thank you for the Minister’s...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would just like to welcome William Greenland, a friend of mine from Inuvik. Thank you.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question today might be referred to the Minister of Public Works and Services. In my Member’s statement this morning, I referred to the renovation projects going on in Sachs Harbour and the amount of time that they are taking to renovate the health centre in Sachs Harbour, and also inspections. Madam Speaker, I had a chance to speak with the maintenance superintendent of MACA during the Beaufort-Delta Regional Council meeting in Inuvik, and I also relayed the information to the regional superintendent of Public Works and Services in Inuvik about the problem that...