Shane Thompson

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First and foremost, I appreciate all Members here speaking up and voicing their concerns and their opinions here. This is what our House is about: it's about working and hearing everybody's concerns. I'm going to speak about my concern that I had. I have staff that were from the Department of Lands and ENR that are working lots and lots of overtime. Other departments are in the same boat. When we talk about the safety of our individuals, we had people that were driving to borders, the Alberta border, again working 10, 12 hours, then coming back. I brought it to the...

I will wear my ENR hat here. Yes, I agree we need enforcement in there. We need to do it right, and that means we have to work with the federal government and Salt River First Nation to deal with this matter. I understand it's been since 2002. Again, we need to work with everybody in place so we do it right. I understand the Member, and I am hearing her. We have reached out, like I said, to EIA, Salt River First Nation to have this as a discussion, and we are working on it. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

As I have told the Member here in the House, we need to work with the federal government, and we need to respect the jurisdiction of both the federal government and the territorial government. We are trying to work with them. The Member has been very clear on some of the challenges that they face with ENR and with Lands, so we are trying to work with this. It is a process, and we need to be respectful of the process. Again, it involves EIA, as well.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Land is the foundation of the Northwest Territories, both figuratively and literally. Our government is responsible for managing 1.15 million square kilometres of it. Setting and enforcing clear rules and regulations for how public land is used is a critical part of ensuring that the Northwest Territories' land and resources are well-managed. Clear, well-communicated rules help the Government of the Northwest Territories make sure that everybody understands what can and cannot be done on public land. They also give the government a fair and consistent basis for taking...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to table to following document: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 368-19(2): Contracts to Northern Territories Businesses at Giant Mine Remediation Project." Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I have tried to explain here, and maybe I am not getting the message out there properly, there is a process, and we need to respect the process. On reserve lands, it's federal jurisdiction. We need to work with the federal government, Salt River First Nation, and the departments to deal with this matter. I understand it's been a long-standing issue for this Member, from when she was former chief, but we are willing to work with it. We have reached out to the federal government. We are working with EIA on this, so it's March, the whole department is working on it...

I would like to thank the Member for that question. Simply put, yes. This was one of the reasons I asked for Department of Lands upon being elected as a Minister. I am happy to advise the House that we have identified a team who will focus on regulatory process. I have committed previously to this to engage Regular Members in the development of the public land regulations so that there will be opportunities for you to review and provide comments on any changes to public land pricing or administrative fees as part of the process. Again, I would like to thank the Member for her hard work in...

In the 18th Assembly, departments were tasked to find revenue or cut costs. The department realized that lease fees had not been addressed over 20 years. They used a cost-of-living index calculation, as well. As well, they were trying to align both territorial and Commissioner's land. Fees for exclusive use of land were increased at the beginning, in April 2018, almost after 20 years for no increases. Lease rent minimums have been set at $840 for all types of leases. Lease rent changes are being implemented through a phased approach. Lease rents will increase at the current rate until a lease...

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

What practices, policies, or rule amendments are required for a Member participating by teleconference or videoconference?

Any Member participating remotely has the same rights and privileges as if they were physically present in the Chamber.

The committee discussed various issues that could affect a remote sitting, including experiences of other legislatures during the pandemic. There are several rules that will need to be revised to allow for remote sittings. Other rules need to be clarified, and some new rules are needed. The committee is also recommending revised...

To ease the financial burden during COVID-19, a regulatory minute was put in place so that no lease fees are being charged for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. I've heard concerns for both increases, and I'm working with the department on a way forward. Reviewing the pricing for exclusive use of public land is a key piece of Public Land Act regulatory work. We will be engaging IGOs, municipalities, committee, and residents have that opportunity, as well.