Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I spoke about the Stark Lake cleanup problem near Lutselk'e. Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious environmental issue and I’m talking about some radioactive contamination. I have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to directing his environmental staff to meet as soon as possible with the community of Lutselk'e on this issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Stark Lake seems to be the immediate concern to the people around Lutselk’e, will the Minister commit to getting something done with the federal government and getting something done this summer in as far as actual onsite cleanup.

Mr. Speaker, I do recognize that the majority of the responsibility for cleanup on land and water within the Northwest Territories lies with the federal government. However, I do feel this government has some responsibility. Mr. Speaker, this is an immediate concern and, hopefully, we can get some immediate solutions. I also would be interested in some long-term solutions. Does the Minister have some sort of cleanup strategy for all of the contaminated sites in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke of the need for environment officers in Tu Nedhe. Today, along that same line, I would like to talk about the Stark Lake cleanup near Lutselk’e. Mr. Speaker, I have raised the issue before and with little progress on this, I need to again raise awareness of this important environmental issue.

Mr. Speaker, the community, particularly the elders of the community, have been asking for something to be done ever since the mine closed in the late 1950s. It is unacceptable the way the land was left. Mr. Speaker...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement I spoke of the need for environment officers in Tu Nedhe. I’d like to ask the Minister of ENR questions. Could the Minister tell me if there are any regulatory impediments to hiring environment officers in non-settled areas? Thank you.

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That’s good. I am satisfied with what I’m hearing. I didn’t know that there is additional... This puts the youth budget over $3.5 million overall. That’s good. That’s all I have to say. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I didn’t know there was staff at the Youth Secretariat. That was to support the staff and what else? I didn’t hear the very last thing that the director indicated.

I guess I’m wondering the opposite. If the communities would have an option to leave this exactly where it is, under the control of MACA, and transfer the rest of the community transfer process, just setting aside this issue for now, parking it for now until the communities are more comfortable to take over land administration.

I’m wondering if that’s the intention to transfer this administration to the municipalities/