David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, November 7, 2013, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that pursuant to Section 15 of the Official Languages Act of the Northwest Territories, Snookie Henrietta Catholique of Yellowknife be appointed as Languages Commissioner;

And further, that the appointment be effective December 1, 2013.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled NWT Community Futures Program 2011-2012 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Gone are the days of Giant Mine. Governments today certainly have the tools to put in place sizeable security deposits when mines open up, and the reclamation is planned into the development of the mine. Some mining now takes place with progressive reclamation as the mine goes forward. Certainly, again, as we move forward here, we can certainly look at opportunities here in the Northwest Territories to ensure that that does not happen. Again, this is a Mineral Development Strategy, not an anti-development strategy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have in place socio-economic agreements with mining companies doing work here in the Northwest Territories. The expert panel on the Mineral Development Strategy went out, consulted far and wide across the Northwest Territories, and we have to keep sight of the fact that this is a development, a Mineral Development Strategy. We’re not interested in scaring away investment and we are going to have to ensure that as we continue along the path of implementing this Mineral Development Strategy. I thank the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure for...

I support our Mineral Development Strategy, and I hope that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and the Regular Members support the Mineral Development Strategy and what it means to the future of mining here in the Northwest Territories. That’s what I support.

The expert panel talked to a variety of stakeholders here in the Northwest Territories, including municipalities, industry, Aboriginal government and organizations including NGOs. They talked to Alternatives North, regulatory bodies, chambers of commerce, education and training institutions and non-government organizations, so for the Member to say that we didn’t talk to anybody, that’s not an accurate statement.

We haven’t opened a mine outside of a diamond mine in well over 20 years here in the Northwest Territories. Our interest is in getting more mines open so we can have jobs and...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act, be read for the third time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of people I’d like to recognize today. I want to start with a constituent, Chris Johnston. He’s with the Northern Safety Association. If anybody can keep bees safe this winter, it will be Chris. So, welcome, Chris.

Also Sarah Johnson, and Chris Robb with UNICO Contractors, a good Kam Lake business. Welcome.

Welcome to former Premier Mr. Roland. It’s good to see you back in the House. Mr. Zoe, welcome. Also, Mr. Hamilton, a special welcome back to David. I know I came into the House in 2003 and David was just on his way out. I didn’t get a chance to work...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce the guests I have with me here. We’ve got Nancy Magrum to my left, director of shared services, finance and administration; and to my right is Mr. Thomas Druyan, legislative counsel. Thank you.

I am pleased to present Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act.

The reason for this amendment is to increase the Fur Marketing Service Revolving Fund from $900,000 to $1.5 million.

The Government of the Northwest Territories supports the fur industry in the Northwest Territories through this fund and the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Price Program.

It often takes a month to six weeks for the fur to be sold at auction after trappers deliver furs to the GNWT under the program. The advance payments made to the trappers from the fund allow them to continue trapping in the interim period.

Due...