Michael Miltenberger

I would point out, as well, that the federal government has indicated that they will step back and wait for the territorial government to conclude the work we need to do in the North, and then we will re-engage with them.

In regards to some potential options in terms of northern tools, there’s an actual territorial park, there’s conservation areas, wilderness areas, study areas, to name a number of opportunities that are there that we could possibly consider as we carry on with this process. Thank you.

The work has been concluded. It’s been a very comprehensive exercise and we anticipate that by the end of March, early April we’ll be able to share that information. We’ve been looking at it as we’ve developed it, as we’ve talked internally, plus the work we’ve had with the stakeholders in communities and the feedback. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the Member’s question, I would like to just reflect quickly back on his Member’s statement and his acknowledgement and recognition of the foresight of the people of Kakisa, and I just want to acknowledge that I concur with his assessment that what they did was, I think, pivotal in how well they survived the wildfires.

What’s been happening is we’ve been doing a debriefing. We’ve been working internally. We’re going out to the communities now to have those discussions across many of the regional centres, but to have that discussion with communities about...

We will look at how timely we can be. We are somewhat consumed with the budget session and such, but I will once again commit to the Member that I will be able to get back to him before the end of session with some specific timelines. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The paper bags have their own downside, but I listened carefully to the Member’s comments and statement and I’ve chatted with the Member about this before and I have met with the department about the need, after five years, to take a look at that particular program to look at revitalizing it and maybe fine tuning it. Thank you.

We know that it’s technically possible. We know that it’s practically possible. We know that there are examples of where it has been used and there has been success. The example that the Member has raised is one. They’ve also come up with some very, very interesting ones in other technological areas like health with the lab on a chip and the type of work where they’re going to create in the next few months an actual tricorder from the old Star Trek days that is actually going to work and do what people just thought about in the ’60’s.

We know that that process works. What we need to have is the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On that specific issue, since our last discussion there hasn’t been a lot done. The issue of looking at that whole process, I have read some interesting literature about the value of that kind of approach that the Member has raised, but in terms of finding $10 million and putting up a prize for the best scientific solution has not been seriously looked at.

We agree that the East Arm and that part of the country where Thaidene Nene is focused is a jewel for that part of the country. It’s spectacularly beautiful country and we are interested in making sure we come up with a plan that keeps northern control to the greatest extent possible and that we do it in a way that recognizes some of the concerns and the aspirations of the people from Lutselk'e. We want to work with them and eventually the federal government to make sure that we get that mix right but, above all, to keep as much authority and land under northern control as possible.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the lead-up to devolution and following April 1st post-devolution, we have been very active on this particular file. We’ve been in contact with the Government of Canada and Cabinet has identified the issue of Thaidene Nene Park as a priority. We have passed on our concerns and interest to them that we are now the landowner, that we need time to get our thinking clear and that we want to work with the northern Aboriginal governments to get our thinking clear as part of that process and that we will be working with them, once we do that, to look at what will comprise...

While Yellowknife is blessed with significant natural defences when it comes to fire, every community is looking at their defences and working with ENR to see what needs to be done, what the communities can do, what individuals can do, how do we use our fire crews when they’re not fighting fires, and all those different areas. Every community in the Boreal Forest should have a refreshed type of a strategy as we look forward to the upcoming fire season. Thank you.