Michael Miltenberger

When there are requests we always make every effort to accommodate within the fiscal realities that are before us. Should there be a specific request from the City of Yellowknife, then we would give it fair and due consideration.

Mr. Chairman, we as a jurisdiction have been getting our thinking clear and our pieces and strategy in place to deal with water issues. There are a number of things that are happening. As I indicated earlier, we are now fully engaged in our transboundary processes with Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, laying out the negotiation process, the fact that we would like to have and we intend... we all want legally binding agreements that are going to speak to the broad areas of quality and quantity which, when you look at them in their individual detail, they are very complex issues tying in...

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

As the Member pointed out, the ENR staff was presenting the results of some of the studies that were being done in the mountains in his constituency. We have, through our research agenda, we’ve laid out this whole area as an area that requires study, and there are world-class experts like Dr. Pomeroy from the University of Saskatoon that have spent 30 years up here working and there’s enormous interest from the scientific community to find out what’s happening for all the reasons the Member has mentioned, as well as just some of the incredible releases of carbon and methane that may result...

As we proceed with the implementation of our Water Strategy, as we proceed with the work with the federal government about monitoring, and as we proceed with the discussions about taking over more authorities for land and water and resource development, those are the types of efforts we’re going to have to make. That we’re going to have to, as well, rely, and the Member talked about traditional knowledge, the people that are the users of the land and the water and the fish, and ENR will have a clear role to play, because have people on the ground in almost every community that can work with...

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the Member that every staff member in Environment and Natural Resources is working flat out on a whole host of issues, including this Greenhouse Gas Strategy, and the folks that are working on this strategy are fully applying themselves with their shoulder to the wheel, their nose to the grindstone and unremitting efforts to bring this process to a successful conclusion. I will commit that we will have a Greenhouse Gas Strategy at the end of the day that will hopefully meet the very high standard that the Member has set for himself and all the rest of us mere mortals...

I appreciate the Member’s comments. The Arctic Energy Alliance is a delivery agent to assist with carrying out a lot of the priorities and work as it pertains to energy efficiencies and greenhouse gas reductions. We have, of course, worked closely with communities as they have developed their own energy plans and we are working with them all on an individual basis, recognizing that one size doesn’t fit all. For example, looking at wind in Nunakput. But I will ask, Mr. Chairman, the deputy to speak specifically to some of the things that are going on in the Beaufort-Delta area. Thank you.

As I’ve indicated in the House, we’ve undergone an extensive period of consultation across the North and all the communities with many groups and individuals. As I indicated to the Member, the intention is that if all goes according to plan, that we will give notice of motion on March 7th for a first reading of the Wildlife Act. We’ll take the process time and then we’ll go for first and second reading on the 9th and 10th, I believe. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the final Greenhouse Gas Strategy would be a product of this government, this Assembly. The Member sits on the Climate Change Committee that has had a hand in this to a good degree. We have to make sure that the products that comes out of this Legislature that are put forward into this House reflect the consensus that we can reach on going forward on a territorial-wide Greenhouse Gas Strategy. Thank you.

No, Mr. Chairman, but just to reiterate for the Member that this is only part of the $225,000. Under grants and contributions there’s other money listed under compensation and benefits and other areas. The intent, as the deputy indicated, is to move forward with our commitment to traditional knowledge. Thank you.