Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. I would like to ask him about a letter that was written about two months ago. The NWT Chapter for Council of Canadians made a request to the Minister of ENR. That request was for an investigation under the NWT Environmental Rights Act. The letter said, “This letter asks you to investigate the likely release of contaminants not specifically named by ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp under the Type A land use permit and Type B water licence in the Tulita district issued by the Sahtu...

The government has already made up its mind. Without any contradictions voiced, their decision will be the one that is put into place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee would like to deal with Tabled Document 134-17(4), Tabled Document 135-17(4) and, if we have time, Bills 17, 18, 19 and 21. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thanks to the Minister for his response. I can appreciate his rationale but I have to agree to disagree as, unfortunately, we often do. I think the chemicals need to be made evident to us and the public.

Could the Minister advise when the letter was sent, and was it e-mailed or was it mailed? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, thank you to the Minister for that information. I was not aware. Perhaps the Minister could advise us as to what was included in that letter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a number of people today. Karen Wright-Fraser is a constituent of Frame Lake. Congratulations, Karen, on your award and welcome to the Assembly. I would also like to recognize the members of the Yellowknife Choral Society who are here and congratulate them on their award. Lorne Gushue, Ruth McLean, Constantina Tsetsos and Margo Nightingale, your hard work is obviously recognized. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we rocket our way towards devolution on April 1, 2014, and towards the millions of dollars of resource revenue which will be our reward, and if we’re to believe Cabinet, the panacea for everything that ails us from roads to rents, I’m very grateful that the 16th Assembly had the foresight and gumption to establish a Heritage Fund before it dissolved. That fund was established to capture and hold for our children’s children and their children’s children the revenue from the NWT’s non-renewable resources. But how much of those resource revenues will actually make it...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 134-17(4), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2013-2014, be now concluded, and that Tabled Document 134-17(4) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

That’s great. Thanks, Mr. Chair.