David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Next I have Mr. Beaulieu.

Deputy Minister Meade.

Maybe just for clarification to the Minister, my understanding is the existing health facility in Behchoko is a leased facility from the local community development corporation. You have a long-term lease for that facility. What happens when you develop this new facility? Who will be responsible for that long-term lease? Do we have to pay it out or are we going to eventually take full ownership of that facility? Will there be some buy-out option to that lease arrangement? Are we locked in for the long-term of this lease commitment?

I believe that we also have to coordinate our efforts with the airport operations and the air carriers. I think that was the problem we ran into in Inuvik. The airlines did move their schedules back, especially First Air and Canadian North. A lot of people fly out on them and a lot of people depend on that connection. Because they changed their schedule halfway through the summer season, it had an effect on the ferry travelling public.

I’d like to ask the Minister if he could somehow work with his department, work with the air carriers and the different communities to ensure we are giving them...

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Next I have Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to get some assurance from the Premier that there will be ongoing discussions with these groups, because we do have influence. We do have land claim agreements. We do have things that talk about the Norman Wells Proven Area Agreement. We do talk about the royalty regime throughout the Mackenzie Valley. In our land claims agreements, because of those things not being a part of this agreement, we have to clarify who we talk to in the future if it’s not going to be part of this agreement-in-principle. I think it’s critical that we cannot leave anything not in...

I spoke to the vice-president yesterday. There was a request put in. The letter is still out there. They’re waiting for a response. If anything, there’s a phone number on the page. All you have to do is pick up the phone and make a phone call. So will you make a phone call to the Gwich’in Tribal Council vice-president or president and start the discussions on this matter, rather than simply put in the people that have made a little bit of waves, push them aside, and only deal with those people you think you can get support from?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since someone opened the barn door and let the horses out, I might as well get involved in this debate too.

I’ve had a discussion with the president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the vice-president and there has been an olive branch handed out to the Premier to meet with them in Inuvik, where they just happen to be in the Premier’s riding. He has never once gone into the tribal council office to try to sit down and find a resolution to this problem. The letter that was sent to you clearly identified that they wanted to meet and discuss these issues. You have not at...

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to send my condolences to the Bruce family of Old Crow on the passing of their mother, their grandmother and, more importantly, a very important figure in the Gwich’in region.

Mr. Speaker, the Gwich’in people from across the Northwest Territories will be gathering today in Old Crow for the passing of Reverend Ellen Bruce. Ellen was the first northern aboriginal woman to be ordained in the Anglican Church and also was a member of the Order of Canada.

Mr. Speaker, Reverend Bruce is well known for her work with the church, but more importantly, working with the Gwich’in...

I believe that the six points that are spelled out in the letter basically outline the areas of concern. It’s not only the concern of the Gwich’in, it’s the concern of the other regions in the Northwest Territories that do have land claims. They do have costs and administration systems in place. They do have management regimes that they want to make sure there is a working relationship between whatever government that provides government services regarding land management. I think it’s important that we work with those land claims groups that have land claims settlements, more importantly...