Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report of the Review of the 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and commends it to this House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed the 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Members would like to thank Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts for the report and for her appearance before the committee on February 14, 2012.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner is an...

Yes. If I could, I would just like to ask a final question, Madam Chair. Thank you for the response in terms of clarifying the forest management agreement with more likely local organizations for terms of 15 years.

Is there an effort to try to ensure that communities, if at the local level the department is equally going to work parallel with them to ensure they build up capacities at the same time? It’s a cooperative effort so, in the end, there’s a forest management agreement that’s beneficial to both the government and local organizations. Does the department have a position to try to help...

Thank you, Madam Chair. My question is not so much on a monetary matter but in terms of timber permits and licences. I think the Biomass Initiative is a fairly positive and forward initiative that complements local skills. I think one of the obstacles that some organizations have is access to lands and areas where there has been an effort to do an inventory and analysis in terms of the tree species and whether they are prime for harvesting. My question is: How is the department trying to mitigate access to forested areas in terms of trying to make biomass successful?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I speak in favour of the motion. Why? I think this motion is visionary and provides leadership. At the same time I think it creates options for what the public expects at this time. At this time in the North we’ve seen very dramatic rises in the cost of living, of course. As the economy improves, so does the cost of goods. Particularly energy costs. I think the public would expect this government would try to create some options and alternatives to the mainstream energy sources that we have at this point. In speaking to this motion I believe it’s visionary and provides...

I thank the Minister once again. Could the Minister distinguish for this House on the differences regarding the community comprehensive-based land claim versus comprehensive claims? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the status of the Hay River Reserve within the Northwest Territories. So my question is to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. What is this government’s role in the K’atlodeeche First Nation negotiations with the federal government? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations respects and appreciates Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts’ work to implement and improve access to information and protection of privacy in the Northwest Territories. The committee looks forward to real progress in this field over the course of the 17th Assembly.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] In the Northwest Territories we are all living in the Northwest Territories. This is what I’m going to be talking about. A lot of people are living in small habitats and these are some of the things I’m going to be talking about. In regard to Hay River Reserve, I’m going to be talking about these issues. Hay River is… [Translation ends]

…300 people. It is a beautiful community, especially at this time of year when the trees are so green. Dene traditions are strong and there’s great interest on anything that impacts traditional lifestyles, such as the proposed...

Just for clarification, what is the term life of a forest management agreement?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on this occasion and I feel very strong about this motion. I think it’s an opportunity for us to go forward together. I think the time and the circumstance and all the signs are out there that we need to go forward. This government needs to do more in terms of trying to at least broaden our foundation, and one of the pillars is education. The early start that we have in developing the advances of peoples’ minds and at least these gifts that we call our children and working with them, the more investment that we’re making for our future. Therefore, I will vote in...