Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a strong and effective regulatory system in the Northwest Territories that relies on Indigenous, territorial, and federal governments working together to make wise decisions about the use of our land and water. This system is always evolving to serve the people of this territory better.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has a mandate to support the sustainable use of natural resources. Every five years, an independent auditor is appointed to conduct an environmental audit, as required under legislation and land claim agreements. The 2020...

As I mentioned, the department is engaging with Indigenous governments and organizations on a range of issues, including planning in and around Yellowknife. The Department of Lands also undertakes Section 35 consultation with IGOs and on all land distribution decisions, which will also include the process of completing a bulk land transfer of vacant public land to the City of Yellowknife. A technical review briefing has been offered to the MLA on related matters by EIA and Lands and may help answer these questions in their full context.

Thank you. I should just say no, but I won't this time. The department has prioritized the implementation of the Public Land Act. This is a major body of work that involves the development of multiple regulations to bring the Public Land Act into force in early 2022-2023, or earlier. This work is to be completed within existing resources and requires a dedicated team whose main focus will be on this important work. This is the important part that the Member has been asking for: yes, we will look at this. As we are working through this process, we will identify issues and challenges that we...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Deputy Minister Erin Kelly and Director of Finance and Capital Planning Jessica St. Arnaud.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Isadore Sam Ekolta was born September 20, 1936, in Snake River, B.C., and passed away on July 10, 2020, at the age of 84. Isadore was preceded by his father, Charles Edward, his mother, Alice, his sons, Gordon (ph), Frederick (ph), Leonard (ph), Emile (ph), and his daughter Joan.

Sam was a very knowledgeable hunter and trapper that was well-respected in the community of Nahanni Butte. He was always able to provide good advice when asked. He had an open-door policy and was always encouraging people to drop by and chat. Isadore is survived by his wife, Maribella; his son...

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, MLA Norn was correct. We did have the opportunity to meet with him in Fort Resolution. The two trucks that we were talking about, one was already there. The other one is being processed this year. It's under $50,000, so we're purchasing it through O and M. It will be done this fiscal year. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Yes, I do.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This year particularly has been hard for many Northwest Territories communities and residents who were already struggling to make ends meet. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new economic challenges for some families in the Northwest Territories.

In response to these concerns, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is increasing funding this year to support harvesters and families going out on the land. Three new programs will promote the sharing of land-based knowledge and provide training for the next generation of hunters and trappers. The Take a Family...

There is a link to the land withdrawal for the Dinaga Wek'ehodi on the public registry. ENR is working to improve functionality of the protected areas registry. The work is scheduled to begin in January 2021. We expect that the new version of the protected area registry will be available next summer. In the meantime, ENR continues to keep the current protected areas registry up to date and compliance with section 9 of the Protected Areas Act. We are looking at how best to post board appointments information on the registry. We are trying to work within our guidelines and within our rules and...

We're in the process of appointing the members for the Thaidene Nene operational management board. Once this process is completed, we're then looking at appointing to our regional management board, so we're in the process and it's getting close.