Robert Hawkins

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Judith Knapp. She is a wonderful friend and a constituent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today is about Caribou Forever. The report tells us that 40 to 86 percent of the caribou have disappeared over the past five years. Are the caribou restrictions addressing the real problem? Or, Mr. Speaker, do we just react rashly to an emergency situation that should have never started? Resident hunters are being singled out, Mr. Speaker. With the lack of numbers on how many caribou are really being taken, are we really solving the problem? We don’t have solid numbers on the wolf population. We don’t know for sure what the real reason is...

I move that this committee recommends that the Executive Council table a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days in accordance with Rule 93(5) of the rules of the Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to speak in support of this motion. I want people to know truly that, as the Member for Monfwi has said, this is about fair treatment. This is about respect for the elders. This is about showing that we care about their valued work and we do not believe this motion…This motion says we do not believe that their work should be undervalued. It should be appreciated for what they do. This will not break this government to take this into consideration and I certainly hope that this government is listening and I certainly hope the Premier will allow Members of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At least the Minister is consistent. I didn’t get an answer on that. So if a hunter goes out there, shoots a cow, what happens to this guy? Does he lose his truck, does he lose his gun, does he go to jail for two years? What happens if an honest mistake is made and an honest hunter is faced with the choice of hiding the meat or ignoring it? What happens? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue to ask questions to the Minister of ENR regarding the caribou problem as I see it. In the Minister’s own words, we don’t know the exact numbers out there, but I propose positive suggestions out there, such as issuing a third and fourth tag to potential hunters who want these. So would the Minister consider those ideas and come back with a response? It’s a positive suggestion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Roland. Page 11, Public Works, operations expenditures, asset management, $598,000, total department, $598,000. Agreed?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, talk of an election always seems to kind of get people interested in what's going on, and a question came to me about electoral reform on a municipal level. So I wrote an e-mail to the Minister and he did reply, but I'd like to hear what the Minister's thoughts are about any potential municipal electoral reform that will be coming in the next little while. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Page 19, Environment and Natural Resources, operations expenditures, forest management, not previously authorized, $127,000, wildlife management, not previously authorized, $57,000, total department not previously authorized, $184,000.