Debates of February 15, 2005 (day 36)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of RWED, with regard to the Nahendeh Air proposal. It was submitted to his office about a year ago, Mr. Speaker, and we’re failing to understand why it’s taking so long to get government support for this program. To date, we’ve got the businesses on side, we’ve got the communities on side, we’ve got the regional people on side, we have federal support and yet nothing is forthcoming from the GNWT RWED department. I fail to understand what exactly we’re waiting for, Mr. Speaker. I would like the Minister of RWED to tell me and, indeed, the public, what’s taking so long for this Nahendeh Air proposal to be supported by our government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure the Member that the department is supportive of initiatives like this. The Member knows that we did fund $20,000 to the consortium of six bands who were looking at purchasing both Wolverine and Simpson Air and amalgamating and creating Nahendeh Air. There was $20,000 a couple of years ago to develop business planning. Our suggestion is that the next steps need to be an application, probably to us, for funding to further review this proposal and add some detail to it. We think there needs to be some refinement of detail; we’ve had that discussion with the consortium.

Our understanding is, as is the Member’s, I believe, that Chief Norwegian is the lead on this. We think that there are other funding partners like INAC, Aboriginal Business Canada, and we’ve identified those. Our regional staff have been in discussions with Aboriginal Business Canada to see if they would be receptive to receiving the business plan and considering it. Of course, we can’t forward that business plan; that has to come from Chief Norwegian. They’ve indicated they would be receptive, but it would require a transmittal from Chief Norwegian and they have informed us that they have not received that.

I think there are some other funding partners potentially waiting in the wings, and we’re hopeful that that business plan will be forwarded. But I think this highlights the need for us to ensure there are good communications between ourselves, our regional office and the consortium of six bands and, principally, Chief Norwegian on this issue so that we can move it forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, it has been over a year, Mr. Speaker, since the business plan has been completed and the request has been in the department, and we’ve asked time and time again for their assistance and to keep this moving forward. It is a time sensitive issue, as one of the interested parties is willing to sell outside the region and that’s not something the community or the region wants, Mr. Speaker. So I would like to get the Minister’s assurance, Mr. Speaker, that he will continue from hereon in a time sensitive manner and secure and assure the consortium that the government is behind them, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

I can give the Member and the consortium that assurance here today. We think that this is an absolutely perfect way for the region to be able to take care of some of the business opportunities that are going to come their way. Lots of activity will be forthcoming because of the development in the regions, and it would be an absolute shame to see that business go to southern businesses. I’m also aware of the Member’s recent request for some help in order to further cement an expression of interest with one of the proponents. We had hoped that the business proposal would be finalized, the details could be flushed out, so that we could make a decision on a business case. I hear the Member saying that it is very time sensitive. So I’ll have to consider that when making a decision on whether or not we’re prepared to forward funds to one of the proponents in order to ensure that they are willing to wait until we have this proposal finalized. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just curious as to the process the department used over the past year to help this Nahendeh Air proposal move forward. Earlier last year I spoke and said let’s get somebody from the department identified to work with the groups, to help them through the proposal stages, and at this time I’m here again asking the department look, there was a process here, we asked for your assistance. What happened on your end because from the community level, from the proponent's side, they are doing the best that they can, Mr. Speaker? Will the Minister continue his assurance that he will help the proponents fill out the proposal and get them to the department so that they can act and make the best decisions possible? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will continue to work with the region and I will ensure that my department knows that this is of highest priority. I could take the Member through our understanding of the timeline and the various steps and the correspondence back and forth and the discussions between our department and the consortium. I don’t know if that would be helpful. That’s my perspective, standing here today. Clearly, from the Member’s line of questioning, that would not be shared by Chief Norwegian and by the consortium. So I’m willing to sit down and discuss this with the Member. I can show him the information that I have, but this is of highest priority and we will move forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 386-15(3): Nahendeh Air Proposal

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to hear the Minister speak about it being a high priority, because it is, indeed, a high priority for the communities because deal breaking is imminent and I don’t want to see this deal fall through. It doesn’t make our government look good when you have the opportunity to create a deal and then we miss that opportunity. It already happened once, as my honourable colleagues keep speaking about, and I don’t want to see this happen in our region, particularly something of this much importance that has the backing of all the chiefs, of all the communities, of all the regional members. I strongly believe and I strongly think that our government should continue and make this dream a reality for the Nahendeh Air proposal. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.