Michael Miltenberger

That kind of technical, herd-specific decision is going to be based on the work of the assessment that’s going to be based on the recommendations from the boards, both of the Wekeezhii and the joint board we’ve set up with the Yellowknives. We’ll all be looking to their advice.

I don’t have an immediate, final definition in my mind. We do know that some of the indications have been somewhat comforting. From what the information is, there’s been no further decline of the Bathurst herd. It seems to have flattened out. The same with our basic work on the Ahiak. There’s even been a bit of modest...

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a joint committee that’s been formed and we are going to assist them with funding to staff a coordinator to work with us as we do the increased monitoring and supervision of implementation of the plan. The Member is correct that there will be ongoing assessment to see how things are going and if resources are an issue.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, Environment and Natural Resources has the lead with the file as it pertains to the development of the Biomass Strategy and implementation across the North. We, as the government, have put $60 million over four years for alternative energy. One significant piece of that is dedicated towards biomass. There is funding available for different projects.

Once again, I’d have to check with the department and maybe talk to the Member and get some more detail, but there is a biomass plan, there is funding in place to assist with biomass projects. The question would have to be to see what...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 13, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2011-2012, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make infrastructure expenditures for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Gaining northern control over the resource management decision-making process is one of the main reasons the Government of the Northwest Territories is pursuing devolution.

Until Northerners have this control, we are not in the position to determine the pace of development in our Territory.

The residents of the Northwest Territories, especially aboriginal people, have a special relationship with the land and water. We all have a strong interest in making sure our land and water is protected and our resources are developed in a wise and sustainable manner.

A devolution...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 13, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2011-2012, be read for the first time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Waste Reduction and Recovery Program, 2009-2010 Annual Report. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2009-2010. This document outlines a decrease of $15 million for operations expenditures and a corresponding increase of $15 million for capital investment expenditures in the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

There is only one item in the supplementary estimates, a $15 million transfer between infrastructure contributions and capital investment expenditures for the Department of Transportation to account for the Deh Cho Bridge as a GNWT asset. There is no financial impact on government operations as...