Kevin O'Reilly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have nothing further to add.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Lands announced the establishment of the liabilities and financial assurances division in a news release dated September 12, 2014. This was in response to our newly inherited authority over lands and waters acquired through devolution. These are very significant new responsibilities and require careful management to ensure that we do not repeat the legacies and disasters left behind from the poor policies and legislation of the federal government. It is critically important that we get our financial security management system in order to prevent further public...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a further motion to amend this section of the mandate, if I may. I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of Government of Northwest Territories 2016-2019, be amended on page 13 by deleting the words “We will develop options for the implementation of the next five-year action plan for the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program.” and inserting the words “We will support the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, CIMP, and respond to recommendations in the Northwest Territories environmental audit for improved environmental management.” Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am aware that the Member who spoke previously may have some concerns around this, but I think the idea here is that we would, of course, as a government actually work collaboratively with Aboriginal governments and co-management bodies to ensure that we do have a sound financial security system. I hope that provides some assurances. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a further motion I would like to bring forward to change the mandate. I move that that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of Government of Northwest Territories 2016-2019, be amended on page 13 by deleting the words “develop an integrated comprehensive approach to the management of contaminated sites include prioritizing, sharing of responsibility with other governments, collaboration with other governments, and monitoring,” and inserting the words “develop an integrated comprehensive approach to the management of contaminated sites including prioritizing...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to speak briefly about this change. What it really does is ensure that our residents are not just informed but they actually have meaningful opportunities to participate in assessing the risks and benefits of resource development. It's important to note that we did include the words “hydraulic fracturing” in here. This is not to say that Members are necessarily in favour or against it. It's ensuring that our citizens have an opportunity to express their views and participate in assessments of that sort of activity if and when it is to take place. The other...

I give notice that on Thursday, February 25, 2016 I will move the following motion: Now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that this Assembly refer the issue of standing committee public engagement and transparency to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures to recommend a process that may be adopted by all standing committees of the 18th Legislative Assembly. And further, that the research and analysis include consultation with the public and a jurisdictional review. And furthermore, that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures report back to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to again thank the Minister for his response. If he took the impression that I don’t believe the division's actually doing anything, I do understand that there is a lot of work that's underway, but we just had a $4.5 million special warrant that was necessary to deal with the closure and reclamation of the Cantung Mine, There's some unreconciled liabilities associated with the Prairie Creek property and other sites, so I just want to get some further assurances from the Minister of Lands that our financial security systems are working. I wonder whether there...

Mr. Chair, I do want to recognize the efforts of the new Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, and I know that he has spoken in the House about how the new government is working more collaboratively with the francophone community in terms of the ministerial directive. I know that it's been raised in the House here about the importance of working with local education authorities collaboratively as well. This is an important motion, I know, for myself and my riding as Ecole Allain St-Cyr is in my riding, and I know that they are working with the new Minister to address francophone...

One of the purposes of the liabilities and financial assurance division within the Department of Lands was “lead and coordinate short and longer term policy development concerning the government's management of securities.” Can the Minister of Lands indicate whether any policies and/or guidelines have been completed since the division was created last year, and table such documents in this House?