Shane Thompson

Thank you, Madam Chair. My problem is it's not the minimum wage. My problem is it isolation allowance? You know, we give I know my CA's getting more than $25 an hour but we should be giving them isolation allowance. That's what we should be doing. So this motion here doesn't address that, especially for our constituent assistants outside of Yellowknife. So that there is where I'm you know, I'm already paying more than $25 an hour but isolation allowance is where the impact on in my riding, I have staff that, you know, my CA works with me but he could work for the government and get the same...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Environmental assessments, in general, are specific to a project. While a regional strategic environmental assessment is much broader than looking at a single project and, in this case, a proposed much larger geographical scale. A regional strategic environmental assessment is designed to assist with the potential environment, social and economic effects, including cumulative effects are alternating strategies initiatives, policies, planning or programs for a particular region. Environmental assessments and regional studies processes do not compete with each other. They...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The GNWT has not taken a position on the name or geographical scope or the regional strategic environmental assessment. CrownIndigenous relationships in Northern Affairs Canada has authorized authority for regional studies under the MVRMA, and they have been gathering perspectives and views regarding potential regional strategic environmental assessment. Our message to the federal government has been that if the federal government moves ahead on this, it is important that they hear the views of governments, Indigenous governments, and other stakeholders in the NWT and...

Wow, the Member's telling us when we can do it, and it's really good. I think there may have been an email exchange back and forth between the Member and myself. But just so people are aware, MACA has been meeting frequently with residents in Hay River office and on site, on their properties. These meetings are occurring on an ongoing basis with our pathfinders as well as senior management for those individuals who completed situations.

Mr. Speaker, I have to applaud the Member from Hay River North, Hay River South, and the Deh Cho for reaching out and working with us, and having these...

Thank you. Municipal and Community Affairs is providing disaster assistance recovery from the 2022 flood consistent with the GNWT Executive Council Disaster Assistance Policy with two federal government programs. The disaster Assistance Policy is a governmentfunded program that may be implemented after widespread disaster to ensure essential community functions and covers the essential basic needs of residents and businesses. Disaster assistance is limited to essential items, the loss of which was either preventable or noninsurable. It is not an insurance program to recover all losses and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to also recognize Julia Erasmus. Her parents live across, and I've had the pleasure of knowing Julia for a long time. She did a lot of dental work with my kids. Not saying they had dental problems, but.

As well, MaryJane Cazon, our translator who speaks Dene Zhatie here, as well Jamie Koe, deputy minister for Lands, as well Pam. Thank you very much for being here. Sorry about your loss. Tommy was an amazing individual and when we'd talk about being in his pipes, he'd always sit there and laugh at me and say, you're never ever gonna score a goal on me. And...

In favour.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, I thank the Member for a great question.

ENR relies on hunters and trappers to provide evidence that 25 percent of their income comes from harvesting. At this point, no decision has been made on possible changes to eligible criteria under the new program but this aspect is under review. So we are working with impacted residents, hunters and trappers, as well as Indigenous governments to work on this, and committee. Hunters and trappers, again, can reach out to our local ENR office to get assistance to complete their applications. So we're there to help...

In favour.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the current review of the Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation Policy is being assessed all aspects of the program including eligibility, amount of compensation that will be available for harvesters. Any changes are intended to help people engage in traditional economy, support access to country food, and support people being on the land. ENR will engage with key partners before final changes are done. So the policy is open and we're trying to improve it globally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.