Michael Miltenberger

Yes, I’ve had numerous discussions with the owner of the wood pellet project as well as the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, ENR and NTPC looking at, as the Member has indicated, using some of their own product and the waste heat to both possibly generate power as well as capture the heat so they can dry all the pellets and put that heat to use.

As well, with our net metering policy that is now being put into place, we would now have the capacity to potentially put back power into the line. If it’s located in Enterprise, then it will become a hub close to the railhead right on the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Member’s question. I do appreciate him sending me a note and giving me a chance to open up my binder to double check my briefing notes.

I agree with him that the signing yesterday is a good news story. That signing yesterday was a political agreement. By the end of this month, we will work out with Fort Resolution the time to sign the actual formal detailed forest management agreement that lays out the 25-year agreement, the details pertaining to the areas and the harvesting and all the species to be harvested and such.

With that document and hopefully...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, as well, would like to take this opportunity to thank the Pages and recognize two from my constituency, Mr. Ryan Dumkee and young Mr. Ian Gauthier, who are here and their dad is also here with them as their chaperone. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 9, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2013-14, be read for the second time.

This bill authorizes the forgiveness of debts in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.

The proponent is a very astute businessman. He has, throughout, immersed himself in this industry. He’s had his contacts with export markets as well as in the North. As well, we will be looking to support him and encouraging him as a government, as we have, in terms of building his product and making sure that all the required classifications are there that would make this an absolutely premium product. Thank you.

In fact, down south, from my understanding, at one point the use of wood waste was considered to be a benefit to the wood pellet producers. It was seen to help the lumber mills manage all their excess and waste, but now the recognition has come that this biomass has value and so the issue of free sawdust and free slabs and waste for pellet mills is now a thing of the past. In fact, there is a fairly high rate of attrition.

We will look at stumpage fees. Aurora Wood Pellets will negotiate their arrangement with their respective Aboriginal governments or business interests representing Aboriginal...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That sounds like a written question to me, so I’ll take it as notice. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The main estimates document, of which I have my copy right here, lays out the budget. The one change we have made is to increase – and it is not even in this budget because the money won’t immediately flow and will be accrued to the end of next year, late ’15 – the Heritage Fund from 5 percent to 25 percent of the roughly $45 million that we take that comes to us free and clear. So, all the numbers are there and the revenues that we have projected in here are what we anticipate getting in that year. Thank you.

Thank you. As I indicated, there was a very preliminary meeting held in mid-January with the Wildlife Act Working Group. They’re working out the work plan, they’re looking at the regulations, the extent of the regulations, what regulations need to be done, what regulations are currently in place that are fine as they are and what regulations may require more work, they’re laying out that work plan. We’re laying out how we can best engage. Part of that work is being done as well. So right now the initial focus is on making sure we have that process nailed down. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a preliminary meeting held in mid-January of the working group to look at what needed to be done, what regulations are required for the Wildlife Act to come into effect, what regulations may take longer and what regulations may not be required. That work is underway and the next formal meeting is going to be near the end of March. In the interim, as well, we intend to work out the process to engage with the stakeholders and Wildlife Act Advisory Group on the work that’s been done on regulations, and my intent is to meet the timelines and have the Wildlife Act...