Wally Schumann

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Collaboration is one of the priorities of the Assembly and is an important part of how the Government of the Northwest Territories does business. That includes developing and fostering effective partnerships in supporting a comprehensive and collaborative approach to managing and conserving our environment and our wildlife, forests and water resources.

Engaging with a wide range of partners including Aboriginal governments and communities, regulatory and co-management boards, non-governmental organizations, funding agencies and academic institutions can ensure we are...

As I've said in this House before, the Department of Transportation is pursuing funding from the New Building Canada Plan to fund these new projects. With access to this funding, it will bring economic benefits to all Northerners and communities, and help us tackle the climate change issue and other issues facing the remote and small communities.

The Protected Areas Strategy is something that's right across the Northwest Territories and region by region. That would be something we'd have to discuss with all of the proponents of these strategies.

Since devolution, a number of waste sites are still under the responsibility of the federal government, but through the department of Environment and Natural Resources, I could sit down with the Member and discuss the possibilities that he is talking about with the Canadian Rangers and the federal government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents entitled “Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly for 2015 under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act” and “The Waste Reduction and Recovery Program for 2014-2015 Annual Report.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would be glad to champion jobs for the Canadian Rangers across the north. As maybe a number of Members aren't aware, there are approximately 4,000 Rangers across Canada and 3,000 Junior Rangers in the country, so I would gladly take up the cause for that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for that question. The Canadian Rangers do not fall under my responsibility, but under Environment and Natural Resources and Transportation a number of initiatives do. We can reach out to the federal government to see what type of programs and services are available to help the Canadian Rangers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The department considers contracting methodology based upon the scope of work; safety requirements of the scope in the construction industry. When a community expresses an interest in a project and in contrast, the methodology affords itself to a negotiated contract, the department will assist by advising on policy requirements. On the other hand, when contracting methodology does not suit a negotiated contract, the department will advise communities to partner with contractors having those specialized trades and equipment. We also encourage communities to take part in training offered by the...

Yes, I would be willing to go to Aklavik and discuss this.

---Applause

The community of Aklavik has different access to funding through infrastructure money through MACA and other sources, so I'd encourage the Member to have the community look at those sources of revenue.