Debates of October 26, 2006 (day 16)

Clause 5.

Agreed.

Page 6, clause 6.

Agreed.

Clause 7.

Agreed.

Clause 8.

Agreed.

Clause 9.

Agreed.

Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I could just get the Minister to reaffirm, I know it's been said a couple times already today, but there was a commitment, I think I understood, that the Minister would bring regulations back to committee for their overall review. I appreciate that commitment; I just want to make sure that it still exists, it's still on the record. If the Minister would mention in his area about possibly tackling the people who refuse to pay their licence. Would it fall under this particular area…Sorry; remit the licence fees, my apologies. Would it fall in this area as he envisions it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. We are on clause 9, suspension or cancellation, but I'll ask Minister Bell, please.

Not specifically to this section, Mr. Chairman, but I will restate the commitment that we will come back with the regulations package and we will sit down with committee. I've also made the commitment to committee to talk about the communications plan; that holds. We will make good on that commitment. Specifically, and this will be developed in regs, how we come up with some vehicles that deal with those who are negligent in remitting fees to the government, we've got some ideas and we're going to put those down and consult on those and come back to committee on that respect specifically. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Bell. Anything further, Mr. Hawkins?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to say on record, I spoke to an operator not even a week ago about this and they were quite enthused that the Tourism Act was coming before the Assembly, and I even sent them a copy just the other day now that it's printed for the public. That was one of their concerns, about the operators paying or remitting fees. So I just want to make sure that the Minister is well aware that there are operators following this issue and they're looking forward to the Minister finally dealing with this in a firm a clear way. So I appreciate the Minister. No question, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I've got Mr. Yakeleya next.

Mr. Chair, just on the question on the appointment of tourism officers in terms of them having the powers of a peace officer. I'm looking at where they're going to be placed. If they have the powers of a peace officer, can they look at strategically some locations where there's no enforcement officers in some of the communities we have? Are all the regions going to have tourism officers? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. I'll just remind Members we are on clause 9, and that is suspension or cancellation, but I'll allow the question. Minister Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I may have missed some of the question here, but the tourism officers will be the existing tourism officers that we have in place here and the interest in their ability to act or have the responsibilities as a peace officer, that's correct, but only for the purposes of this act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Minister Bell. Anything further, Mr. Yakeleya? Thank you, committee. Thank you for your indulgence here. We are on clause 9. Once again, clause 9.

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. Page 7, appeal, clause 10.

Agreed.

Clause 11.

Agreed.

Tourism special management area, clause 12. Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just in regard to this clause, I'm just wondering if the Minister is talking with ILA in regard to the Husky Lakes area. Of course, I understand that he might have a certain area that's been restricted for tourism. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Minister Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We will certainly have these discussions in every region with the regional authority. I can't and I don't know if we're currently in discussions, if our regional staff are currently in discussions with relation to Husky Lake, but I will certainly find out for the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Bell. Anything further, Mr. Pokiak?

No, I'm fine with that, Mr. Chair. Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Thanks, committee. We are on clause 11.

Agreed.

Clause 12, tourism special management area.

Agreed.

Page 8, Tourist Deposit Assurance Program, clause 13.

Agreed.

Page 9, clause 14.

Administration and enforcement, clause 15.

Agreed.

Clause 15.

Agreed.

Clause 16. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The tourism officers, are they going to be placed, are they already placed, already targeted, are they switching job titles from existing officers in their regional office in terms of having these tours and officers? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, the tourism officers are in existence now. Their titles are not changing. They have this designation. So they aren't the creation of any new positions. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Bell. Anything further, Mr. Yakeleya?

Yes, thank you. I understand that Deni Gaccione is our Sahtu region designated tourism officer. Now, this tourism officer, because of the earlier discussions in the House in regards to the Dodo Park here, would this tourism officer be designated to work in that 354-some kilometres of designated Canol Trail area that would look at taking care of the Canol area, besides Great Bear Lake, Colville Lake, Good Hope and the Tulita area? Thanks.

Mahsi, Mr. Yakeleya. I just caution committee not to name individuals for better or for worse, so if you could just keep that in mind as well. Thank you, committee. Minister Bell.