Frame Lake

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

Thanks to the Minister for that. Unfortunately, I didn't hear a commitment that they were going to be reviewing the policy even though he says that we still support the declaration. I'm not prepared to review the policy, but maybe I'll try a different slant here.

In my statement earlier today I pointed out the inconsistency between the lofty and courageous principles in the Project Assessment Policy and how a GNWT interdepartmental committee may operate in assembling technical advice and evidence.

I will just give an example here. If government scientific experts produce evidence that...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

Merci, Monsieur le President. My question is for the Minister of Lands, who is responsible for the implementation of the Project Assessment Policy. In 2008, this House unanimously endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I see that our government still supports the declaration, but it's not clear what we're actually doing to implement it. Can the Minister tell me and this House whether there was any consultation or engagement with Indigenous governments in developing and refining the Project Assessment Policy, and if not, why not? Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

Merci, Monsieur le President. Cabinet approved the Project Assessment Policy on April 13, 2017, after a review by standing committee. The policy applies to all GNWT departments, boards, and agencies and establishes the administrative procedure for assessing any "seismic surveys, exploration, extraction and/or production of natural resources, development of infrastructure, or remediation of past resource or infrastructure activity that might have environmental impacts within the Northwest Territories."

Although it was improved as a result of standing committee review, it is still not a good...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

No, thanks, Mr. Chair. My time is up. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Just to follow up with one question. There has been no CPI increase in this year's money over last year? I want to confirm that because when I look at the money -- yes, we'll start with that. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the Minister for that. I understood that there was going to be an action plan developed to move us towards the new model, and of course that new model does not leave any of the small communities behind; they're going to be protected in that, and that's what the municipal funding review concluded and everybody accepted. When are we going to see that action plan move us towards the new model? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank Madam Scrooge. She is going to bring the plan forward and it will contain the capital needs for 911, that's great. Is the Minister prepared to look at a supplementary appropriation to get this work started in 2018-2019 rather than wait for 2019-2020? Thanks, Mr. Chair

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 80)

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess I want to follow up on some of the questions that my colleagues have asked. First off, on 911, did I hear the Minister say then that the capital costs associated with that are not going to happen until 20182019? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 79)

Thanks to the Minister for that. No increase, but I guess status quo in terms of supporting this booming industry here in Yellowknife.

We've known for at least six months that the visitors' centre was likely going to close; the museum desk was a stopgap measure, but what is the long-term solution here? I would like to hear from the Minister on what that long-term solution to support tourism in Yellowknife is from his perspective.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 79)

Merci, Monsieur le President. Since the middle of June the Northern Frontier Visitors' Centre has been closed. The numbers tell the client service story: 725 visitors served in July of this year versus 3,018 the previous year. The City of Yellowknife is stepping in on a temporary basis until March 2018, but what's the plan for a vigorous interim arrangement that will carry us through until a new permanent visitors' centre can be opened? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.