Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Environmental Protection Act and this guideline applies to the whole of the Northwest Territories, including privatelyowned land.

Environment and climate change officers, under the authority of the Environmental Protection Act, can direct or order the remediation of contaminated sites even if the contaminants had not escaped the site. The land use permits, and water licenses issued under the authority of the Water Act or the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, boards can choose to apply the guidelines or select their own standards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, right now we're just trying to provide the basic services for the residents of that community. As the Member said, the arena was closed for a long period of time. To get it up and operational, there's some work that has to be done. We will work with the administrator to see if we can get the money and funds to have a position in there. We used to. But the biggest challenge right now we're also facing is the ability to find people to work. That's one of the challenges that we're facing. I've got numerous phone calls about water delivery and stuff like that...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here to present Bill 74, Forest Act. It is also important to recognize that we are discussing forestry legislation at a time when people, our people, communities and our forests, have been significantly impacted by wildfires.

Bill 74 is the first bill drafted under the Intergovernmental council Protocol on Legislation Development and the first introduced under the Legislative Assembly's new process convention on bills drafted in accordance with this protocol.

Bill 74 is an important milestone for all of us, and I thank everybody the Indigenous governments, standing...

Thank you. For clarity of what the Member's asking for, I'll go to the deputy minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, GNWT recently completed a broad public engagement on emissions and targets. One possible scenario discussed was net zero emissions. There is a need to balance healthy economy with climate change mitigation in the NWT. The NWT approach needs to be achievable given our remoteness and cold climate. Any change to the approach to emission targets in the NWT will be part of the renewed climate change action plan and energy strategy in 2025.

Thank you. With your permission, I'll ask Ms. Bard to come in and answer that question. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT continues to acknowledge the profound affect climate change is having in the NWT right now and the importance of building resiliency and addressing our emissions. Climate change has been a key part of this government's mandate. We've moved climate action in the territories forward through our climate change strategic framework and energy strategy. We're listening to Indigenous government partners through the NWT Climate Change Council, and we've advocated for the NWT perspective and funding at the federal and internationally level. We all agree...

Thank you. For detail I'll turn to Mr. Wheler, and then, with your permission, Dr. Kelly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, these people that were impacted by the fires there, their accommodations we're relooking at it in January. But as we work on it, it might be extended until we get them actually back into their home or a replacement home as we work through that process. So right now, we got it in January and then we will be as we move forward, we'll be looking at each individual case by case. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. We've heard the Member's concern, and we'll make sure it's added in the reports moving forward. Thank you.