Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Observations and Recommendations on the Action Plan

MACA’s Approach to Development of the Plan

In outlining its approach to developing the action plan, the department noted that “…all MACA staff were provided an opportunity to offer grassroots solutions and approaches to address the issues the OAG has identified,” and that this approach “…underlines the importance of engaging staff who are going to be directly responsible for the implementation of the action plan.”

While the Standing Committee agrees with the importance of engaging with staff to identify innovative...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my other question is: in terms of trying to understand the roles of this government and the federal government, in light of the recent transfer of responsibility of devolution from Ottawa to Yellowknife in terms of lands and public resources, where is the GNWT in terms of its responsibility regarding the Great Slave Lake and the fisheries stock that we have here? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Last week, the Minster had unrolled the development of the fishing strategy that had been in the making for some time. It basically heralds the initiative of this government in trying to revitalize the fishing industry on Great Slave Lake that has been around for about 70 years. My question is to the Minister: can the Minister explain the scope of the fishing strategy; in particular, how the matter of jurisdictions in the role of First Nations were addressed in the development of the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question verges on the first question that I asked, and I don’t feel that the Minister answered my question, in whether the fishing strategy has a functional responsibility and whether, indeed, it addresses the very fundamental issue of the jurisdictions in the role of the First Nations. Would the Minister please answer that question? Mahsi.

My second question is: is this driven upon the Minister's statement? He stated very clearly that there were meetings in the region, so can the Minister explain the level of consultation and whether those meetings were held at a ministerial level, or a senior official level, where senior officials from this department engage people and stakeholders in those meetings?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation not provided.] Mr. Speaker, some First Nations that live around Great Slave Lake are stating that they were not consulted in the development of the GNWT fishing strategy.

The ITI Minister tabled the Strategy for Revitalizing the Great Slave Lake Commercial Fishery in the House last week. A ceremony was held in Hay River to celebrate this milestone of the 70-year-old industry.

Mr. Speaker, in developing the Commercial Fishing Strategy, the question of whether true meaningful consultations were carried out in engaging all parties, including First Nations, to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question is that it seems that, you know, there is a waiting game at this point in terms of when the reports will be received and then there is a contemplation of the next steps, and it seems very clear that, of course, within the framework of the federal government, including the GNWT or the Northwest Territories, it is almost that we have to wait for the lead of the federal government. One of the points that have been made by the parties is that there has to be a new mandate from the federal government including the GNWT. Is that the case, Mr. Speaker?

In light of the negotiations that are currently going on, or in terms of some of the outstanding regions that still have to get to the table, the observations from parties has been the land claim policy, which could be perhaps problematic from the parties' perspectives, it depends on what side of the table you are on, but basically the land claims model that the federal Government of Canada is upholding is based on the United States' model, which basically was following the first achievement of a land claim agreement with First Nation people in Alaska then. My question is, in the eyes of the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking at the UN Permanent forum on Indigenous Issues, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett announced, "We are now a full supporter of the declaration, without qualification. We intend nothing less than to adopt and implement the declaration in accordance with the Canadian Constitution." Bennett described the Declaration as "breathing life into Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution and recognizing it as a full box of rights for Indigenous Peoples in Canada."

Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged by the words of Minister Bennett. I believe that this...

Thank you to the Minister for answering the few questions that I had. It is true that the ministerial special reporter has met with all parties and will be more likely tabling the report to the parties, including the GNWT and the federal government. Could the Minister explain just the key steps of the go-forward work plan that he anticipates will follow once the reports have been received by the parties?