Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister. And, you know, and I appreciate that and, as the Minister's aware, there is a cost oftentimes, particularly for smaller communities when they're looking to transfer this land, if there's any survey work that is required to be done. But will the Minister commit, as part of their engagement plan with communities through outreach, to look at covering some of that cost or assisting with that cost to get this land surveyed so it can be transferred? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my Member's statement, advancing land devolution to our communities, my questions are for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Minister, would you commit to working with communities to begin the process of transferring authority over all territorial and Commissioner's lands within community boundaries ensuring they have full control and decision-making powers over those lands? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. And I understand that, you know, some of -- I know at least one community has put forward a request to have a transfer of lands. And I guess what we're talking about is transferring -- and I understand there's survey work will be required to be done there, but transferring as one block. And I guess what I'm looking for is can the Minister kind of commit to kind of a clear timeline to developing kind of an action plan to transfer these controls, and is that being worked on right now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the devolution of lands and resources from the federal government to the Government of the Northwest Territories was a historic step in strengthening our ability to manage our own land and chart our own economic future. However, the work is not yet complete. Now is the time to take the next step in devolution, one that brings land management decisions closer to the people most affected by them.

Mr. Speaker, our communities are the backbone of the North. They are where families grow, where businesses develop, and where our culture thrives, yet many...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I was a Member of this committee as well. I will be supporting the motion. Again, I'm not going to reiterate what all my colleagues have already said. I'm shocked that we're spending this much time on it given the, you know, the other fish that we have to fry in this building. Again, the opportunity to do it has already been there as my colleagues have said. I support the motion, and I'm hoping that we can move forward and have a vote. And, again, as Member from Frame Lake said if it gets deferred back, we'll take it back to committee (audio).

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Minister. And, yes, I appreciate that. And the Minister, I will say, has always been willing to work with me in the Beaufort Delta when I do have concerns around this.

Just one follow-up question that may be a yes or no answer, then; I wasn't sure if it was answering the last one, Mr. Speaker. Are there any proposed changes to the quarry permitting process being potentially looked at by the government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. So from what I understand from quarry permit holders in my region, they are being asked for additional consultation. I understand what the Minister is saying. So I guess if there is a duplication, has the GNWT considered entering into a protocol agreement with the land and water boards to avoid any duplication of consultation efforts while ensuring that their duty to consult is met? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize and, more importantly, thank Sheila Nasogaluak, my constituency assistant from Inuvik. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress.