Louis Sebert

As I mentioned in prior questions, I think during our last session, there is a study of the program that is being conducted at this very time. I am expecting the results of that study within the next few weeks, I think by the end of November. At that point, we will decide which course we will take.

It is not GNWT policy to offer fee simple title in unsettled areas of the Northwest Territories. In certain circumstances, exceptions are possible, but it is important that we do not create a patchwork of exceptions and one-offs in our approach.

In the case of Cassidy Point, an exception was made to honour a long-standing commitment to leaseholders over two decades ago. Going forward, we want to rely on a systemic approach. Decisions will be based on broader policy goals of sustainable land management for the benefit of all Northerners, now a commitment to finalization of land claim agreements...

Mr. Speaker, I'm not able to table the 1992 letter to the Cassidy Point leaseholders. It's correspondence between a government official and private individuals about lease arrangements and contains information that is not appropriate for the public domain. However, I would be happy to share with the Member the exact wording made to the leaseholders at Cassidy Point. I'm quoting now: "The intention of Municipal and Community Affairs, MACA, is to grant title to the existing leaseholders on Cassidy Point by September 1993.

In order to accomplish this, a legal survey will be required to define the...

Mr. Speaker, each request for fee simple is unique and reviewed individually. In the case of Cassidy Point which was referenced earlier, we made an exception to honour a long-standing commitment to lease holders. As I mentioned, our review of exceptional situations will also be informed by the soon to be completed Recreational Land Management Framework.

One of the difficulties with dealing with matters on a case-by-case basis is that you can conceivably set precedence. There's a saying that hard cases make bad law, and I think what we want to do is make the process simple, transparent in the...

Mr. Speaker, fee simple title is not normally granted in unsettled regions due to the land lease only policy of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The Minister of Lands and the Minister Responsible for the Power Corporation is always happy to work with the Members opposite.

---Laughter

As this House will know, Imperial Oil is responsible for the remediation for their oil and gas operation at Norman Wells, and that the vast majority of the property on which their operations are located are in the proven area. I understand that we hold one lease with Imperial Oil. We will look into the matter but I don't know if it's worthy of a trip. Thank you.

Yes, thank you. We're not talking about upgrades; we're talking about a totally new building, and I do understand that the new facility will satisfy the concerns of the Auditor General in the report. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I understand as a matter of security we don't provide day to day numbers of those incarcerated. I have of course provided some of that information, the highs and lows and the average over the last five years, and I think I'd be prepared to do that going forward as long as you're not asking for or I'm not asked for numbers on specific days, because that could lead to security issues. But certainly the highs and lows and the average I would undertake to provide.

I understand that it could be a combination of both, both inside the fence and outside. Thank you.