Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know exactly which people he's talking about that are impacted, but my understanding is that accommodations are until at least January. But if the Member has heard of different situations, please reach out to us and we'll reach out to the department to make sure we fix that because we don't want these people that are being impacted by the fires to then have to be impacted by the accommodations. They may be part of the thing is they may be looking at maybe moving to Hay River and that might be some of the work that we're working on. But if the Member can work...

Thank you, Madam Chair. For that detail, I'll turn to the deputy minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's kind of a dual answer. If they're in Peace River or they have access to accommodations down there through Red Cross or our evacuation process, yes, please reach out to the Pathfinders that way. But if they haven't got accommodations, then, you know, reach out to their MLA, reach out to the South Slave or, if in case, the Pathfinders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

For that detail, I'll turn to deputy minister Kelly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know how we top that; that's amazing.

Mr. Speaker, as the House is aware, the North American Indigenous Games 2023 were held in Halifax and surrounding communities between July 15th to 23rd. The NWT sent a strong team, and I witness the support these athletes received from parents who traveled to Halifax to cheer them on. Most athletes were able to get to Yellowknife in a timely manner to join up with their teammates. Unfortunately, Ava Erasmus had a really interesting adventure to get to the games. As some of you may have heard from Cabin Radio, she had to get...

Yes.

For that detail, I'll turn to Mr. Wheler, please. Thank you.

Thank you. The Forest Act is a law of joint application which means that it applies throughout the NWT unless its application is narrowed in regulations. Some regulations on the first act may be designed to make more or some powers, such as harvesting and forest resources in applicable on private lands. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I do not support this motion. We already talked about, you know, land use plans. In addition to bylaws to this section, it attempts to fix a problem that doesn't exist presently. And we reduce the opportunity of input at the community municipal level. Forest management regulations currently outline process to work with municipalities before licenses are issued. These processes do not strictly use or rely on bylaws but the direct input of municipalities. The Member just talking about, you know, zoning bylaws, we feel that this can be looked in at regulations but, most...

Thank you, Madam Chair. On my right is Dr. Erin Kelly, deputy minister of environment and climate change. And Brett Wheler, a representative of the Intergovernmental Council invited under the Legislative Assembly process convention on bills drafted pursuant to the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol. Behind me, on my left, is Laura Jeffrey, legislative counsel with the Department of Justice. And on my right is Melissa Bard, manager of legislation from the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Thank you, Madam Chair.