Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am still of the opinion of the original motion, in support of the original bill, and this paperwork before us just kind of supports your original judgment. On the email in question on the last sentence, it says, "Our preference remains for the NWT to put in place its system," and the system the government has negotiated in this case, so it has full control over revenues, and, as the Minister mentioned in the past here, ease the impact of the tax on to the residents of the Northwest Territories, and, in doing so, it's better to understand the impacts of the tax. When I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning I was very glad to witness the 2019 Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle awards. Congratulations to all four individuals and one community group. This event recognizes the individuals, youth, elders, and groups who exemplify excellence and dedication and promotion, preservation of arts, heritage, and cultures in their communities and regions.

Mr. Speaker, listening to our Dene elder, Mr. Alfred Taneton, one of the recipients, a large part of his remarks was directed on working together, a statement that I cherished while listening to our elder. The spirit...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Adding my comments here to the motion, I can't see myself supporting this motion on the basis of we shouldn't be using previous experiences, considering the fact that rights issuance were issued on a lot of these sites as identified in schedule 7, which we seem to be reflecting on this department for the downfalls of somebody else's mistakes. This is a new department, and given the fact that it just got incorporated here with devolution taking effect in 2014 of April 1st, I think we should straighten out our management systems, give some ministerial discretion, and learn...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, too, agree with the statements made by the Yellowknife North Member, and I agree with a lot of the principles of proper land management and the inheritance of authorities' responsibilities from the devolution process in conclusion. Moving forward, considering the elections and so on, are there any plans to do community engagements now that this legislation is looking like it is going to become law and relating that information on to some of the communities that were not on the committee's engagement list? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Ms. Bard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize the elder from Deline, Alfred Taneton, the recipient of the 2019 Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle, and his escort, Morris Neyelle, and all the recipients of the award. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can't support this bill for various reasons, but I will just highlight, looking at the bill here, the introduction to the bill. "Bill 39, Environmental Rights Act, recognizes the right to protect the integrity, biological diversity, and productivity of the ecosystems in the Northwest Territories and to provide residents with the tools and processes needed to ensure these rights are protected by the GNWT."

As my previous colleague mentioned, adding layers would, at the end, make it cumbersome. I am very fond of seeing practical exercises or practical examples which really...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to acknowledge Lesa Semmler, there, the niece of a good friend of our family, and former community leader Felix Lockhart. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the whole area of consultation, engagements, feedback, publication and awareness, environmental protection, it leads me up to a few comments and highlighting some of the initiatives undertaken by the Sahtu Regional Organization in the area of just recently preserving the Rampart Wetlands. There is a stewardship training program under way, and the recognition of the Great Bear Lake biosphere is another initiative.

The jobs related to preservation and environmental stewardship give me comfort that it's a collaborative effort. This department has engaged with several...