Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the work that is going to be done this year. I am wondering about the next couple of years after that. Is there a longer term plan or commitment from the department to continue to expand the hydrometric network? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

No. I do want to thank the Minister for that reassurance. If it’s just re-commencing where we left off, I’m more comfortable with it. I think that invitation from committee is probably on its way, may be on its way already, so I’ll look forward to getting that briefing. Thanks, Mr. Chair. One other question about this in general though, if I may. As part of this package on the conservation network action plan… I think that’s what… I don’t know if I got the title right. As part of that package, I guess we’re looking at having an overall strategy for conservation areas throughout the Northwest...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I did have a question on the page. I just couldn’t see where it could get raised anywhere else. Water regulatory line, under program detail, there is fairly significant reduction there of $200,000. I think that is money for the department to get engaged or involved in water licensing. I note that the Jade Project is likely to enter into water licensing during this financial year, so I just want to make sure that we actually have the capacity and the capability to continue to engage in that and a number of other water licensing proceedings. Can the team explain the reduction...

I don’t think so. Maybe I can just ask for a general comment. There’s sort of big changes from 2015-16 to 2016-17. Presumably these are the result of the end of a research program, a funding arrangement, that sort of thing. I just want a general answer from the department. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Water Strategy Action Plan, there is a reduction there of… I am not going to try to do the math in my head. $116,000 my colleague tells me. What is the reason for that reduction? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

No. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Other than to say this is a great program. I was involved with it for a decade and really appreciate the work of the department and the staff on this one, so thanks.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have a couple of questions here. There was a partnership with Wilfrid Laurier in that we have contributed $200,000 to last year. This year, there is zero in the budget. Can the Minister or staff explain what is happening here? Is their research finished? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. A couple questions here. There’s a fairly significant reduction in expenses called other expenses, and I’m just wondering if the department can… Or at least from the revised estimates for 2015-16. Just wondering if someone can explain what happened here? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like to thank the Minister for her commitment that the recommendations coming from the North Slave Resiliency Study will not impact in any adverse way Arctic Energy Alliance. Yesterday in the House the Premier announced that there was going to be a new energy plan for the Northwest Territories. We already know that NTPC cancelled work leading to renewable energy in the North Slave. The North Slave Resiliency Study recommends against solar, wind, biomass investment in the North Slave. It appears this government has already started to make up its mind about renewable...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Just to follow up on that, so when there is an environmental assessment of a project going on, or a wildlife management plan, or something that’s being developed on the Nunavut side of the boundary, does our government actually express those views to co-management bodies or governments on the other side of the boundary on a regular basis? Thanks, Mr. Chair.