Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I'm glad to see that we are making it consistent in terms of who will get to celebrate this holiday, not just members of the public service, but people that work in the private sector as well.

But I know that there were some concerns or issues raised when this was being discussed around what sort of supports or activities and so on were our government helping put together to facilitate reconciliation and, particularly, for this day. So if I could ask the Minister what efforts our government is doing to ensure that the day is meaningful for our residents in the Northwest...

In favour.

Merci, Monsieur le President.

I MOVE

WHEREAS Rule 9.2(3) requires that Members be appointed to Standing and Special Committees;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the following Member be removed as an alternate to the Standing Committee on Social Development:

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput;.

AND FURTHER, that the following Member be appointed as an alternate to the Standing Committee on Social Development:

Mr. Rocky Simpson, the Member for Hay River South;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the following Member be appointed to the Standing Committees on...

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Premier for that. Maybe I'm out of order here, but I'm trying to get a commitment out of the Minister to sorry, my questions are out of order. I'm just trying to get a commitment out of the Minister to actually share the background report, tell us who was consulted in this decision. And I didn't get answers to those but I'll try something else now.

So I've raised many times the inherent conflict of interest with one department acting as a promotor of resource development and then regulating rights administration and royalties at the same time...

Merci, Monsieur le President. My question's for the Premier as the head of the government.

I said I was caught by surprise by the recent announcement of the merger of Environment and Natural Resources with Lands without an opportunity for input from this side of the House or the public.

Can the Premier explain this decision and tell us what background information or studies were done for this merger and share that with us and the public? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. No, I appreciate the response from the Minister. I have no further questions. Thank you.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that update. But I guess what I'd like to see is the Minister committing to share a little more information with this side of the House, even if there's no progress being made. Like, it's been radio silence, Mr. Speaker, for two months since I last raised this in the House.

So could the Minister commit to regular monthly, maybe quarterly updates, even if there's no progress being made, so I don't have to continually raise this issue in each sitting? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. Although I'm pretty skilled on internet searches, it would be great if the Minister could start providing that kind of information to this side of the House.

Clearly, we're downstream from this mess, and there's a lot at stake for us with regard to the potential impacts on water quality, aquatic life, and human health. The only thing I've seen happen is the release of two $60,000 Requests for Proposals for water quality expert advice to review what Alberta's doing.

Can the Minister tell us what, if anything else, is going on...

Merci, Monsieur le President. I raised the issue of discharges from the Alberta tar sands tailings several times in our last two sittings. Although the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources has committed to share information with this side of the House and the public, I have seen nothing. I can honestly not recall having received a single proactive email or update on the issue of the development of Alberta and federal regulations for discharges from the tar sands tailings ponds from the Minister or the department.

I’ve also raised the issue of Alberta refusing to allow GNWT...