Michael Nadli

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The 2014-15 Marketing Plan noted the challenges of dealing with unforeseen events including natural disasters. My question is to the Minister of ITI.

How does NWT Tourism plan to build tourism in the Deh Cho following last year’s destructive fire season?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We know that tourism is an important industry in the Northwest Territories. In its 2014-15 Marketing Plan, NWT Tourism has identified several major focus categories, including outdoor adventuring, Aboriginal travel, and sport hunting and fishing. Growth in the German, Swiss and British markets show particular interest in Aboriginal cultures in a natural environment. It’s a great sign for regions like the Deh Cho. But at the same time, we also know that for both Canadian and international travelers, travelling north can be expensive. As a result, our tourism strategies...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories work closely with departments to help them improve their response times under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and that the GNWT make clear what sanctions will be imposed for departments that fail to meet their statutory commitments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has been considering Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act. Members will recall that a substantive report on the committee’s review of Bill 12 was presented to the Legislative Assembly on March 5, 2015. By motion, the House received the report and it was moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

Bill 12 sets out the legislative framework for Northern Employee Benefits Services, NEBS, Pension Plan to continue as a multi-employer, multi-jurisdictional public sector pension plan for...

Thank you. My final question is in all these negotiations sometimes they come to a point where you can’t really resolve the differences.

Are there any provisions within the negotiations policy of this government or else the framework agreement, that’s been hammered out with all the parties, for any provision for a dispute mechanism? Mahsi.

I think the negotiations process at this point has reached a perilous point where perhaps parties might walk away. There could be a call where negotiations are basically going to come to a halt, and that’s not in the best interests of the people of the Deh Cho, of the NWT, or even Canada, for that matter, for the uncertainty of the land tenure and the ownership and the jurisdiction to not be clarified.

At what point would the Premier or the Minister call upon his leadership and call upon the Dehcho leadership to step in, instead of leaving the negotiation process and the fate of the whole...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The negotiations process is a path that is taken when the parties believe they can make an agreement. My hope is that the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Dehcho First Nations still believe they can work together.

Recently, the GNWT made an offer to the Dehcho First Nations in its efforts to move negotiations forward. However, as well intended the offer is, accusations of a “take it or leave it approach “and terse name calling has taken an unfortunate turn rather than examining the full merits of the offer and contemplating a counter offer.

It is my belief...

Can the Minister provide an update of the Dehcho Process negotiations? I know he’s spent a lot of time explaining where the process is at, but from his perspective, is there hope? Is there a point where we should be concerned? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too wanted to ask questions to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. I’d like to ask the Minister, can he clarify whether the offer of 37,000 square kilometres is the take it or leave it offer or the final offer?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to acknowledge the recipient of the Wise Woman Award for the Deh Cho region, Caroline Bonnetrouge.

Caroline Bonnetrouge was born at Tathlina Lake in 1932. As a young child she was taught traditional skills by her parents, Madelaine and Philip Simba. She loved to hunt, fish, trap and sew.

She married her husband, Albert. They had eight children and many grandchildren.

Caroline is a Deh Gah Gotie Dene elder who helps her people who need guidance. She believes in working with the sick and provides traditional beliefs such as spiritual praying and feeding fires.

Ca...