Debates of February 25, 2005 (day 44)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions for Mr. Bell, the Minister of what we now call RWED and is soon to be a couple of other departments. It is in the area of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project and funding and support for organizations, regional governments, to help prepare for this pipeline.

In Wednesday’s federal budget, Mr. Speaker, the federal government put $150 million on the table over the next four years to increase federal and regional capacity to respond efficiently and effectively to environmental and regulatory applications associated with the pipeline.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I brought to the Assembly the extreme shortfall in funding and support to NGOs and community governments, and this may be part of the answer. I am wondering if the Minister can tell us, is this $150 million that the federal government has on the table going to be accessible to interveners and to parties that came up short in the last round of funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Return To Question 491-15(3): Mackenzie Gas Project Intervener Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that’s a very good question and certainly one on the minds of a number of parties who have made application to intervene before the JRP environmental assessment. In the coming days, weeks and months, we’ll know more about the criteria the federal government plans to attach to this money. As I have indicated previously, we have heard from many disgruntled groups who feel that phase one and phase two of the funding that’s been available through DIAND has been inadequate and they haven’t been able to access it. So hopefully, and I know it’s what the Member is hoping as well, this money can respond to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 491-15(3): Mackenzie Gas Project Intervener Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess one of the characteristics of federal budgets is large ideas and large blocks are introduced. The devil is in the detail. Given where we are now, just a few days out of the announcement, would the Minister undertake to lobby the federal government to make sure that a substantial portion of this is available to northern NGOs and communities, perhaps even our own government, to help us respond efficiently and effectively to applications? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 491-15(3): Mackenzie Gas Project Intervener Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In short, yes. I think we are also going to be setting about a plan to better understand the federal government’s intentions on ensuring a sustainable environment and the $3 billion in new funding that was announced in that regard. Again, we have to know what that means for the Territories. The Minister of MACA, Mr. McLeod, has recently written several letters to federal officials making the case for communities in this territory who need help in order to be ready for this development, who need help in developing capacity. As a government, we will continue to press the case with our federal counterparts. I give the Member that assurance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 491-15(3): Mackenzie Gas Project Intervener Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As almost always is the case with this kind of thing, time is of the essence. The regulatory process has a number of triggers and deadlines built into it. What kind of priority is the Minister going to be putting on securing this funding and working with our partners and other NGOs in communities to help get this money in place just as soon as possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 491-15(3): Mackenzie Gas Project Intervener Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is of highest priority. Our Joint Cabinet/AOC Pipeline Planning Committee has discussed how we had better approach the federal government in a number of areas, including how we might help to get money to mitigate some of the social impacts. There are a whole range of areas. This is of highest priority for that committee, of highest priority for this government, and we will certainly continue to do that, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The time for oral questions has expired. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to extend question period.