Robert Hawkins

I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories undertake meaningful public consultation in the development of policy on hydraulic fracturing. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In listening to this motion today, it’s become clear that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be examined and considered before we can accept some type of judgment on this particular motion. So looking at the particular numbers before us at this moment, it looks as if it won’t pass.

I want to stress that many Members who are speaking in favour and against it are raising very important concerns. Some people are speaking against the motion saying that they will vote against it. They’re highlighting their caution, but they’re still echoing support for environmental...

Well, first I should be clear that I’m not suggesting anything, because I’m not a wildlife biologist. All I can suggest is, I’ve heard from other people who make suggestions of that type of manner, that is the right choice. I will leave it up to the biologists to make that determination. I again ask the question of what stopped us from putting numbers on the table to this point of saying when we reach a certain number, whether it’s 35,000 for the Bathurst or, for example, maybe 2,500 for the Cape Bathurst, then we can open up to residents and outfitters, as well as return to traditional...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue today with my questions to focusing on my Member’s statement, which was the concerns regarding the caribou surveys and their numbers.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources provided a statement and he talked about the numbers; three out of the four groups were increasing, one is decreasing, as well as he showed clearly that two groups we were unable to fully survey to get a sense. He did highlight that there was a problem. I’d like to say he skipped over predation pretty quickly in one of his statements on trying to focus as a solution, as...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I raise today’s Member’s statement as an opportunity to respond to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Minister’s statement, which is an update on the NWT barren ground caribou numbers.

First off, I want to thank the Minister for providing the House a small update. I think it’s a snapshot of our particular situation, but it is disappointing to hear the facts, that we still have a number of herds missing, without the details.

He points out, quite clearly, that the Bluenose-East and the Porcupine numbers, due to weather, we were not able to get clear and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure is pleased to provide its Report on August 2012 Hydraulic Fracturing Study Tour: Towards a Policy Framework for Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northwest Territories and commends it to the House.

The emerging shale resource play in the central Mackenzie Valley has the potential to bring unprecedented economic activity and prosperity to the Sahtu region and the Northwest Territories as a whole. These oil and gas resources must be extracted through the use of the horizontal drilling process and multi-stage...

I’m tired of the Health Minister defending the Finance Minister’s job. I’m sorry. When will the Minister stop this bunkum message and finally say he’s going to fight at the Financial Management Board table and demand a treatment centre gets built here in the Northwest Territories, whether it’s in Inuvik, whether it’s in Yellowknife or Norman Wells that we get this job done? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly hope I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings when I say this, but this government is addicted to the status quo. I am telling you, all we hear is this bunk message over and over again that they don’t want to do anything.

I want to hear today, what has the Minister of Health and Social Services done by way of submission by providing a plan for infrastructure such as a treatment or a detox centre to the FMB, that’s the Financial Management Board, and what can he tell this House today and show this House today that he is working on this particular problem? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank publicly MLA Yakeleya for bringing forward this motion. It is one that I believe strongly in and I want to thank him for his stewardship of getting it on the floor. I also want to thank the Members in advance of those who will be speaking in favour of it. Of course, I want to use the time now to shame and shun the government, who will not be voting on the motion, who will be abstaining, as we know in advance of this.

Addictions are a relentless problem. I do not have to tell anyone in this House how important action is required. Significant action keeps...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In areas where legislated authority does not exist, it is the committee’s view that the Government of the Northwest Territories must exercise its moral authority to represent and act in the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories, and promote sound management of our land and resources. The Government of the Northwest Territories has long experience in ensuring that residents’ voices are heard in resource development initiatives, but the time has come for it to assume responsibility for more active policy development as well.

The Calgary study tour and...