Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to talk about one of the many jewels of the Northwest Territories, the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake and, more specifically, the proposal to make this amazing area Canada’s newest national park.
In 1970, under the legacy of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, an area of almost 7,500 square kilometres of the East Arm was set aside for national park purposes. Unfortunately, over the course of the next few decades, the lack of progress in settling aboriginal land claims; resources and governance issues; and periodic government cutbacks stalled the drive for establishing an East Arm national park.
Mr. Speaker, with the prospect of hydroelectric impacts, diamond mining, and uranium exploration, the proposal for protecting the East Arm as a national park was once again put back on track, along with other Territorial conservation projects.
Mr. Speaker, in 2005 the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation outlined what they called Thaidene Nene, a portion of their traditional territory they wanted to see protected. This prompted Parks Canada to reassess the original 1970 boundaries. As a result, Parks Canada has now identified a total surface area of almost 34,000 square kilometres for the national park objectives.
In October 2006 a memorandum of understanding was signed by Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation and the federal Environment Minister, providing a framework for a feasibility study for this new expanded area.
In November of last year the federal government officially announced an interim land withdrawal to protect more than 26,000 square kilometres around the East Arm.
Mr. Speaker, the East Arm area is an amazing geological wonder. In Christie Bay you can find the deepest spot in North America — over 2,000 feet deep. You can place the world’s highest tower in Christie Bay, and it’d still be underwater by 200 feet. The spectacular Red Cliffe Island has sheer cliffs that are over 1,000 feet straight up into the deep water that is the home of a world-class lake trout habitat. There are stories of a trout over 100 pounds caught in the nets in the Great Slave Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Mr. Speaker, today I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Lutsel K’e Dene Band and the Akaitcho Territory government in their steadfast commitment to the protection of this important traditional land, as well as Parks Canada for recognizing the need to protect this spectacular area.
