Michael Nadli

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Most of the communities in the Northwest Territories are in locations that have been long used by Dene, in key locations on rivers and waterways. Fur traders and priests later built permanent settlements around the trading posts and churches, and our traditional gathering places have now become our permanent homes.

Mr. Speaker, [translation] if we do that, it would be good for us. We need to do that with Fort Providence. People, we still remember where the gathering is. That is why we need to protect those areas, and sometimes we need to protect the water. Sometimes, it's...

[Translation] ...such as on-land hunting, fishing, and trapping. Here in Yellowknife, there are six places that they have, and in this here, there is only one. When it's a small place like that they work on, it's hard. In small communities, band councils usually exist and deliver municipal services, sometimes the local band councils, and that is why the settlement or hamlet councils they have. The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes band councils as designated authorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [End of translation]

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize a member of the Fab Five, Mr. Robert Bouchard. I'm very proud to recognize Felix Lockhart; he's a good friend. I express my condolences to his family. In a previous life, I met Felix through the Dene Nation movement. He was the vice-chief for Akaitcho and I also served as the vice-chief for the Dehcho. That's how we met, and it's been great knowing him and continuing to know him and I express my deep condolences to his family. Welcome to the Assembly. Mahsi.

As the Minister, what improvements does he think the Department of Lands could make to its processes to address the issues with land administration being raised by municipal governments?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am following up my statement with questions to the Minister of Lands in terms of the level the certainty for lands in communities. I think that everyone has the dream about the idea of buying and owning their homes. What is at issue at this point is that the certainty of land ownership is not clear. My question is to the Minister of Lands: how does the Department of Lands work with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs with respect to the provision of land for municipal purposes and interaction with community governments? Mahsi.

While the term of this Assembly is drawing to a close, issues related to municipal lands are likely to continue. I hope that Ministers of lands and municipal and community affairs in the 19th Legislative Assembly will have the vision and leadership necessary to ensure that communities in the NWT have the land they need to grow and prosper. I will have questions for the Minister of Lands at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask my question that I wanted to understand this policy here. The Minister had indicated that communities have community plans. I would think that those community plans are community land use planning zones. There are lands identified as residential, commercial, and industrial lands, and there are future lands that would be zoned in. I wonder if the Minister could clarify that and whether most communities have those community plans in place in the NWT? Mahsi.

Once in a while you come across a policy that is seventies-era. That's when Ottawa made all of the decisions for people of the NWT, and times have changed. My question is: what concerns or obstacles would stand in the way of the GNWT converting all public land within municipal boundaries to fee simple title for transfer to municipal governments or current leaseholders?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to acknowledge and recognize Joe Tambour of the K'atlodeeche First Nations. He is translating, and he has been in the booth for some time. I really appreciate his presence in helping us to bridge the gap in terms of understanding English and Dehcho Dene Zhatie, and I expect him to be here for another week. [No translation provided] Masi. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I sense a growing frustration amongst residents and community governments in the NWT for the GNWT's approach to land administration. Residents on leased land want ownership in the form of fee simple title to enable them to get mortgages and invest in their properties. Business owners want land that is developed and zoned for commercial and industrial use. They also want certainty that the value of their investment will not be undermined by their business being on or next to leased property, where property values are lower. Community governments need access to land for...