Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the circumstances of the time for the NWT kind of moving toward devolution, at the same time, economically speaking, we’re trying to develop a strategy. Part of that is to develop a mining strategy. My question is to the Minister of ITI.

Given the concerns raised about free entry mining system in the Yukon and elsewhere, has this government started any research into what we will need to do to make sure the NWT mining legislation reflects the duty to consult with First Nations?

Has this government started any research on what alternative approaches to the mining regulations are out there other than the free entry system?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last December the Yukon Court of Appeal issued a very important ruling on the duty of the Crown to consult with First Nations. The Ross River Dene case concerned the Yukon court’s Mining Act. This act provides for a free entry system by allowing an individual to physically stake a claim and then record it. The officials have no discretion to refuse to record a claim unless certain technical requirements are not met. The court found that the Yukon government does have duty to consult with First Nations when recording claims in asserted traditional territory. This...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Biomass Initiative has been a major significant, positive development in my region, in the South Slave region, but also expanding further north. It’s been on the radar for some time. I wanted to know what level of preparedness has the department entered into in preparing communities that will be affected by a forest management agreement with potential for a plant to be situated somewhere in Hay River? What kind of training has the department, perhaps, forecast in terms of training needs at the community level for this major project?

I know there’s been a lot of good work that the Mine Training Society has done, but why is mine training not offered in so many of our small communities where jobs are scarce and unemployment is high?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I have spoken many times about the lack of jobs in the communities in my region and the lack of opportunities for our young people to make a good living. It is true that there are a lot of mining jobs in our territory. In a few communities people have had some success getting those jobs, but it is not easy in communities that are a little further away from the mines. In my region very few people are working at the mines.

Unemployment is highest in our small communities. You would think that we would focus our training for jobs in the mining sector, but that is not the case...

I’d like to thank the Minister for his response. It’s encouraging that the Minister has indicated that there is an engagement process, at least, with the communities. Will the Minister work with the communities of Fort Providence and the K’atlodeeche First Nation to establish local delivery of mine training within the near future?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I talked about mine training opportunities in small communities. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

How would someone in Fort Providence currently, for example, access mine training for a job at Prairie Creek?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge the presence of former Premier, Minister and MLA Jim Antoine, who also served as chief and is my good friend and mentor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’ve just got some comments, in terms of the department. I understand the department is the second biggest department in terms of its operational budget. I have some interest in terms of trying to at least understand – from my perspective in representing Fort Providence, Kakisa, the reserve, and Enterprise – the rates of success in terms of graduation in terms of high school, university, and whether there is more we can do in terms of encouraging kids to stay in school, and at the same time, ensure they have a value-added educational approach where we are trying to...