Michael Miltenberger

Thank you. Communication is a critical component of just about everything we do. In this case, the Member has highlighted a number of areas where communication hasn’t been as proper, and thorough, and laid out in advance as it should be. Of course, I’ll commit to make sure that in our discussions, both ourselves as a territorial government and the federal government, do a better job in making sure that information flows properly and that the issue of transparency is addressed, as has been attempted to do through this oversight committee. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Giant Mine Remediation Project remains one of the biggest environmental clean-up sites in the country; the largest in terms of magnitude and cost. It receives its own separate mention in the agreement-in-principle. It is a site that will be maintained in the inventory of the federal government. Of course, we will be working closely, as we have been and continue to do, with all the interested and affected parties to ensure that the federal government complies with their obligations. Thank you.

Once again, I appreciate the Member’s comments. I know the Member of Parliament has been a strong advocate of having increases in this area as well. There are three territories and, I believe, six provincial jurisdictions as well that have access to this deduction. We will start with the northern territories and have that discussion and will make sure that we include the Member of Parliament as well. Thank you.

In fact, the Premier is meeting with the northern Premiers in the next couple of weeks and has indicated that he will have that item on the agenda to have an initial discussion with his colleagues. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2012-2013, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territoires for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Family and close friends are sitting a 24-hour vigil with family matriarch and respected elder Irene Sanderson this week in Fort Smith. Despite being ill for many months, Irene has remained the strong woman she’s always been, not complaining about her lot in life, not even to say why me after receiving a terminal diagnosis. She’s a testament of strength to her children, her relations, and her friends.

Irene is a trapper’s daughter, born and raised in the bush at Ambers Portage between Fort Chipewyan and Fort McMurray. She became a trapper’s wife in Fort Smith, where her...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Friday, June 15, 2012, I will move that Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2010-2011, be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “List of Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 for the Period April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012.”

As well, I wish to table the following document, entitled “Northern Land Use Guidelines – Northwest Territories Seismic Operations.” Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we are tracking those statistics. The easiest course of action, of course, would be if the community of Norman Wells agreed to put this issue back to the vote. Because of the concern they have heard from all of their companions and all the neighbours in the Sahtu in the neighbouring communities, the existing legislation is clear right now. We will do the work we need to do to chart a path forward. If it requires legislative change or regulatory change, we will have to make that determination.

Clearly, the community of Norman Wells has the legal authority now to put that issue back...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have met with the Member a number of times and had a considerable amount of correspondence. We’ve discussed the steps forward. The next most immediate step is going to be we’ve agreed we’re going to collectively write to the leadership in the Sahtu and we’ll pose a number of questions to them. Some very basic ones, like taking authorities that now lie at the community level and making decisions about alcohol, taking some responsibilities like the decisions over liquor store restrictions, and those types of things from the community level to a regional level, and a...