Michael Miltenberger

I can clearly commit to the territorial government’s, our government’s commitment to this process. There are discussions underway with the federal Minister in regard to the federal funding. We have not yet concluded the discussions, but the goal clearly is to maintain that funding and keep it available between ourselves and the territorial government so that the work has been done, and the money that was voted by the Parliament of Canada remains there for the use that it was voted for. Thank you.

Our commitment to that process remains unabated. We’ve had recent meetings with the leadership of the Deh Cho about making sure that we can conclude the land use plan, setting up bilateral meetings between the governments so that we can talk about and resolve issues. I’ve met for a number of hours with the leadership from the Deh Cho on the Wildlife Act to try and resolve their concerns about the Wildlife Act, mainly as it pertains to their land claims. We are fully engaged in that. At that same time, we’re in a transition period as the federal government is going to exit stage left in this...

What the outfitters used prior to the hunting ban was in the neighbourhood of a total of 700 tags, many of which weren’t used annually.

The intent of the various surveys, or the main intent, is to ascertain as close as possible what the herd numbers may be. At the same time as herd numbers, the herd health, cow-calf ratio, those types of things, all towards an eye of making sure we have sustainable herds that are healthy.

Those numbers have told us up until recently, for example, the Bathurst herd has suffered a precipitous decline and stabilized not up but down significantly. It hasn’t really increased from where it bottomed out about three years ago. We know the Ahiak-Beverly herd, the numbers look quite strong and the...

It is, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, could I just get the Member to repeat that? I was just putting my earpiece on.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, March 14, 2013, I will move that Bill 5, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2012-2013, be read for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to return to item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It’s estimated at approximately $865,000 of the $1.018 million. Expenses incurred will be recovered under the DFAA, additional costs being incurred by DOT mentioned, in the amount of $1.028 million will be added to the final claim, which is anticipated to be filed with the Public Safety Canada prior to March 31, 2013. Maximum recovery is up to 85 percent.