Debates of August 15, 2007 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last month, several hikers along with myself and the Premier and some youth have hiked the Canol Trail. Mr. Speaker, it's a beautiful area, very sensitive. There were a lot of good discussions that happened there. One of the things I wanted to ask the Minister of ITI and his responsibility for this park here, proposed management park, is in terms of the protection. Can the Minister provide to this House an update as to how this park will be developed and managed in the next coming years in terms of what can he say to this House in terms of giving assurance to the Sahtu people in terms of looking after the Canol Heritage Park? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to applaud the Member and the Premier and others who took that opportunity this summer to trek through the Canol Trail. I believe they have one segment left next summer. I am sure we can have a reunion to see that last third completed. Mr. Speaker, we are certainly moving forward to see a territorial park created there. Of course, there are land transfer issues, DIAND. There is a park committee that has been set up to watch over that and handle that administration. There are a number of steps here. I don’t have the latest in terms of the discussion with the committee, but I can tell you we are addressing some of the issues related to clean-up of some contaminated sites and other things, ensuring that that is conducted by the federal government. So there are a number of steps here. I will provide more information for the Member as I get an update. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to also say to the participants who walked on this hike, it was a wonderful trip and a golden opportunity. One of things I would like to state, Mr. Speaker, is that the heritage trail is very sensitive and very precious to the Sahtu people, especially to the Shutah le Gohlini (sic) Dene people. Will the Minister look at looking at restrictions or some type of bylaw or law in terms of the use of ATVs in the Canol Heritage Trail? I know it has been quite an issue amongst our people in terms of the use of these all-terrain vehicles especially in the hunting areas. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad the Member has brought this to my attention. I am not sure what measures are in place for protection now. I guess interim protection until the park is established. I will enquire about that and we can have that discussion with the committee. I take the Member’s point. We want to make sure that we are protecting that very fragile ecosystem. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister advise his department officials in the interim, advising all public about the use of ATVs in the boundaries of the proposed park of severe warnings of not allowing them to come into our area and disrupt the environmental nature of this park? Can the Minister send out a strong notice to all: beware ATV owners and riders in the park? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure at this point whether ATVs are allowed in any area of the park in any capacity. I will find that out. We will discuss this with the committee. I think we need to ensure that protection is upheld, as the Member has pointed out, and, as we establish these rules, criteria and this plan to protect the park, we will do a communications plan to make sure that everybody in the region and anybody coming in from outside the region knows the rules of being able to enter the park. It is obviously very vast. It is hard for us to police and protect in that manner, but we can work, I think, with committee members and community members as well to ensure that they're vigilant and on the lookout for anybody who may be creating problems in the park. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from witnessing two years of walking the park with the Premier, Mr. Premier walks just like the ATV. He just gives her. I want to ask the question, Mr. Speaker, in terms of the ATV. There have been noticeable curves witnessed by this government, the Members and the people of Tulita, that the use of ATVs at mile 222 is disturbing. It is serious. Actually, if the Minister can do some serious follow-up in terms of letting people know, if you come to our border in the Northwest Territories, not to chew up our land, people outside of the Northwest Territories, especially the park that we are proposing to have for the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 127-15(6): Development And Management Of Canol Heritage Territorial Park

Mr. Speaker, we will talk to the committee, as I have mentioned. Obviously, we would prefer that the people entering the park use other means that weren’t as disruptive. I understand that the Premier and the Member were on horseback. I applaud them for that. I think that is a very good step. I also understand that there was some walking going on, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

That is a rumour. Yes, we will take a serious look at this. There will be a response and some follow-up and I will get back to the Member. Thank you.