Frame Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That's great. One of the mandate items reads as follows: "We will review and develop amendments to the Northwest Territories Heritage Fund Act in light of devolution to ensure a defined revenue stream and stronger public governance." Can the Minister or one of his colleagues tell us what is being done to ensure that that mandate item is achieved? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I appreciate that. I guess I was hoping for some communications materials before the bills actually receive assent. That might help the public understand what's being proposed. Are there any plans for doing any communications work before royal assent for these bills? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I thank the deputy minister for that information. In the additional joint management proposal that is being prepared for the Wek'eezhii Renewable Resources Board, what will it contain in terms of predator control? I just want it highlights, please. I don't need all the details because I still have a couple of other questions if I can get to them. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I will have to wait to see what the detail is because I don't think we've really nailed that down yet. I want to go back to the Climate Change Strategic Framework Action Plan. My colleague from Yellowknife North talked a bit about this. I understand that there are going to be a few new interdepartmental committees established, but there's nothing that establishes the authority of the department in legislation, regulation, or policy with regard to something like collaborative and coordinated reporting on climate change. There's nothing about how Cabinet decisions might...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am hoping that one of our friends here can tell me what the current balance is in the NWT Heritage Fund. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. My question was: I'd like a round figure, and if they can give that to me today, or make a commitment to provide it. I seem to recall a figure of $2 million, but can someone confirm that for me? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the description of that, but I guess I am worried that, by the time we get through all of those steps, there may not be any caribou left. $150,000 was cut from boreal caribou monitoring in last year's budget. The Minister said that there was going to be additional funding on the way to make up for that. Our requirements for boreal caribou continue to increase. We have to have a recovery strategy. There is going to be more monitoring required as a result of the Tlicho all-season road. Where is the money for boreal caribou work? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't believe that the standing committee or the public has seen a formal response to the Auditor General Report on Climate Change. Is that something that the department is still working on? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I guess some of the questions I have are, I remain to be convinced that this is actually going to improve services, but can the Minister commit to providing even an interim report before the end of this Assembly to the standing committee on how this is working out? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 65)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I take it from the Minister, then, that this is just a continuation of the reduction exercise and it is being spread out over a longer period of time with this department, which I think is a real shame.

I would like to ask the Minister a couple of very specific questions about corporate management, as well. The department has been developing five bills, and those are slowly making their way over into the House, and so on. Where did the resources come from to develop those bills? Did the Minister go to the Financial Management Board, or were they just found internally...