Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far back as 1969, through a federal Order-in-Council, land has been withdrawn and plans in the works for a national park at the eastern end of Great Slave Lake. After that initial land withdrawal, there were long periods of inactivity until 2001, and then from 2004 to 2013 talks were held in earnest to try to develop the park concept.
In reviewing the budget last week, Premier McLeod advised the House that we “expect to have some results by the end of March or early April” so that we would know “whether we were moving forward or not.” He also stated that the feds have paused and there are active discussions as we speak.
I support the establishment of a park. I support Thaidene Nene and there is considerable support in my riding and throughout my community. To quote one of my constituents, “Polling data from 2013 shows that 80 percent of Yellowknife and Hay River residents support establishing Thaidene Nene.”
There is support to preserve the area and support for the economic development and stability it will bring to the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation.
Another of my constituents has said, “There are strong ecological, cultural and economic reasons for protecting the entire area, which have been documented by Parks Canada and the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation.”
Mr. Speaker, residents in and around Yellowknife and Hay River have been using the East Arm area of Great Slave Lake for recreational purposes since the communities were established. It is also home to the Denesoline people of Lutselk’e and has provided for them and the surrounding communities for thousands of years. It is a great idea to mandate the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation be the keepers of Thaidene Nene. It is their traditional land, after all, and a park can provide much needed employment in the areas of conservation and tourism.
There is good reason to preserve the land, but any agreement for a park must ensure that it will still be accessible to all of the current users of the area. This project has been proceeding at a snail’s pace for far too long and this is where I see the GNWT can affect progress in working out an agreement for a park.
With devolution, the NWT presumably gained power over our own lands and resources, so we should take on this task.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
We should take on this task, and one of my constituents said it best, “The time has come for the GNWT to exercise its new authority under devolution in favour of this park and the people of Lutselk’e and the entire NWT, establishing this park and making the appropriate arrangements with the community.”
I will have questions for the Minister at a later time. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
