Debates of February 15, 2005 (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll pick up where I left off with my statement. That is questions regarding the Deton’Cho access to the area known as the sandpits here in the city of Yellowknife, within the municipal boundaries of the city of Yellowknife. The first question I’d like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs is how that decision was arrived at. I’m wondering if the decision to grant access to the sandpits was a decision made solely by the Minister of MACA or was it a Cabinet decision. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 385-15(3): Deton’Cho Access To Sandpits Land

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that decision was made by myself as the Minister of MACA. We’ve had some discussion with Aboriginal Affairs; however, that decision was mine. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 385-15(3): Deton’Cho Access To Sandpits Land

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister today how close Deton’Cho Corporation is to actually proceeding with the housing development at the area known as the sandpits here in the city of Yellowknife. I know under the agreement that he’s given permission for it to July 31st, but through reputable sources, Mr. Speaker, they’re very close to proceeding with a 400-unit housing development at the sandpits and I’d like to ask the Minister what information he has with regard to that development. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 385-15(3): Deton’Cho Access To Sandpits Land

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure how close they are to proceeding with development. Our involvement has been to try and facilitate a process dealing with lands in Yellowknife. There has been an application made to the City of Yellowknife for a section of land in the sandpits area. We’ve had some discussions with the Yellowknives Dene. We’ve also had some discussions with the City of Yellowknife. We’ve indicated to those groups that we needed to see all the development plans come forward because, along with the City of Yellowknife development plan, we have the Yellowknives Dene First Nation’s development plan, the Department of Transportation has an airport development plan, and we have the Akaitcho land claim negotiations land selections going on. So all these things are in the process, in the works. There’s a lot of overlap. We’re trying to develop a system that will allow us to process some of these applications. I know that the City of Yellowknife and the Yellowknives were meeting. I believe their staff were meeting yesterday. The City of Yellowknife wants to have a discussion and hear their presentation with their counsel on what the Yellowknives are planning to do. That application has not come to us, Mr. Speaker. They’re having some discussions between the City of Yellowknife and the Yellowknives and they’re reviewing a number of things, including how this would fit with the City of Yellowknife’s development plans, including the zoning. So there are a number of things that need to be discussed and, up until now, the only thing we’ve done is to allow the Yellowknives access to the sandpits area to do some geophysical work and do some engineering studies and that’s the limit of our involvement, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 385-15(3): Deton’Cho Access To Sandpits Land

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m glad to hear that the Minister is on top of what is transpiring out there, by the sounds of it. The other question I’d like to ask is how a decision like that, made by the Minister, impacts the IMA that’s in place currently between the Yellowknives Dene and the City of Yellowknife and his department. To me, it goes against the protocols as set out in the IMA, to just grant access to the Yellowknives Dene to access the sandpits. Maybe the Minister could speak to the IMA and what impact or precedent this sets going forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 385-15(3): Deton’Cho Access To Sandpits Land

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the IMA refers to occupancy. This was a request that came in to do some early assessment. If the land is not suitable, the Yellowknives Dene informed us and are informing the City of Yellowknife that they will move away from that project. However, there are a number of other sites that the Yellowknives Dene are interested in, and the City of Yellowknife is looking at acquiring more land for the growth of the city. So we have to have a system that’s put in place. In my own judgment, I made the call that we should issue a permission to occupy. There is no requirement under the IMA to consult with anybody. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 385-15(3): Deton’Cho Access To Sandpits Land

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one quick, final supplementary. I’m just wondering if the Minister can confirm for us whether or not he believes a residential development that close in proximity to the Yellowknife Airport is something that he would support. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 385-15(3): Deton’Cho Access To Sandpits Land

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the City of Yellowknife agrees, the Yellowknives Dene agrees, and if it fits within the Department of Transportation’s plan overall, I certainly would support it. We have a lot of work to do yet on this issue. We have to have a lot of discussion. We have to develop a process where everybody is satisfied that their interests are being taken care of and that’s what my focus is right now. We’re nowhere near approving anybody’s applications. There are a number of applications out there that we have to deal with. At this point we have granted permission to do some early seismic work in that area; that’s what it is limited to. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.