Thebacha

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 38)

We realize, of course, that there are unauthorized and rights-based properties that we are going to be dealing with and that different defences could be raised in both cases, so we are going to be extremely cautious in moving ahead with court cases in either of these situations. However, I can't give a total undertaking that we will not proceed.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 38)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has developed a new cabin-type lease that will be implemented on both territorial and Commissioner's lands. This will support greater consistency between the two management regimes. We are expecting to roll that out in the fall of this year.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

I would encourage camp and cabin owners to see the regional Lands offices for information relating to their specific cabins. As I say, there are a great number of unauthorized occupancies in the Northwest Territories, and we want to decide which of those are rights-based. We are taking the first steps by engaging with Indigenous governments with respect to this matter. We would encourage individuals to speak to the regional offices regarding their specific cabins and camps.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mike Reddy, director, legislation division.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently in the Northwest Territories there are over 700 structures on land administered by the Government of the Northwest Territories that do not have land tenure. Some of those untenured structures may be associated with an asserted or established Aboriginal or treaty right. Of course, this government respects treaties, and this fall the department is engaging with Indigenous governments and organizations to initiate discussions on respectful and effective ways to identify which of the 700-plus properties, cabins, are rights-based and which are not.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to be here today to discuss Bill 14, the Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018.

The purpose of Bill 14 is to amend various statutes of the Northwest Territories for which minor changes are proposed or errors or inconsistencies have been identified.

Each amendment included in the bill had to meet the following criteria:

it must not be controversial;

it must not involve the spending of public funds;

it must not prejudicially affect rights; and

it must not create a new offence or subject a new class of persons to an existing offence.

Departments responsible for...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

Yes, I would, please.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

The first step in this matter is, of course, to determine which of these cabins and camps are rights-based and which are not, because we are not sure at this time. So that is the first step, and then we will be engaging, as we are already, with IGOs with respect to the whole matter of rights-based cabins. Thank you.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

The Member opposite has referred several times to an information sheet. I am not sure, as I mentioned earlier, that such a sheet actually exists. Certainly, I would be willing to share additional information with the Member opposite and perhaps could have a conversation later today with respect to what information he actually needs.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 37)

I don't think I made an undertaking regarding the information sheet. I think I said that would provide more information to the Members opposite. As I mentioned earlier, the initial contact and communication will be with the IGOs in the various communities, quite an extensive list of IGOs, to which we have sent letters. So that will be the initial step, and certainly, I will provide the Member or Members opposite with more information as to the steps and process and procedure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.