Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, change in the ice coverage and the longer open water season means greater potential for commercial fishing in the Arctic. Ten stakeholder countries gathered in Iqaluit this past summer to negotiate measures for sustainable fishing in the Arctic Ocean and address dangers of unregulated and reported fishing that could deplete the fish stock.

Mr. Speaker, currently international law says that anyone can fish on the high seas. Mr. Speaker, for those who don't know what the high seas are, the high seas are waters 200 miles off the shoreline. The area most likely...

The concerns around managing commercial fishing in the Arctic are ultimately linked to climate change. My question, Mr. Speaker, is how is the GNWT incorporating traditional knowledge into work being done to create the NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about arctic fisheries, and my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how is the GNWT monitoring the development of an agreement on the arctic fishery? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my final question is Darnley Bay is also the site of a proposed marine protected area. How would developing minerals interests and their sensitive ecosystems be balanced in a way that satisfies traditional land users, but also modern society's demand for mineral resources? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the clarification. Mr. Speaker, my second question to the Minister is how is the department engaged in monitoring mineral resource development projects and staying up-to-date on activities of junior mining companies?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize my constituency assistant Ora Mercredi, and also Mr. Stan Cochrane, who we worked together on the Darnley Bay project which I just mentioned earlier. So welcome to Stan. It is good to see you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Department of Finance consider amending the Non-consolidated Schedule of Bad Debt Write-offs, Forgiveness and Student Loan Remissions by removing the names of those who have received student loan remissions and reporting only the amount of the remissions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I see the importance of the GNWT working with Aboriginal governments has moved toward mineral explorations and road building. Mr. Speaker, my third question for the Minister is what project readiness activities is the department undertaking during the current downturn in the economy so the Northwest Territories has a better capacity to take on new projects when commodity prices rise?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I spoke about Darnley Bay, and my questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister is what geological information has the GNWT collected about mineral deposits in Darnley Bay anomaly area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.