Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 61, Appropriations Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2020-2021, be read for the third time, and Mr. Speaker, I would request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 61, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2020-2021, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have worked with communities and MACA to fence off some key areas to keep bison out. I think one of the examples is in Fort Liard, and we will continue to work with the community of Nahanni Butte to explore options for fencing the Nahanni Butte airstrip again. Our departments will work closely with each other to try and find ways to help alleviate some of the problems that they're facing in the Nahendeh region with regard to bison, so we will continue to work on that and ensure that the public safety of the people is our first priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have worked with both communities to develop a Nahanni bison management plan. That was completed in August of this year, and I believe I may have tabled that a couple of days ago. That includes approaches to reduce bison-human conflicts. We've also provided a range of public information to promote awareness of wood bison in ways to avoid conflict.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my wife, Judy. I appreciate all the support over the last number of years. It makes it a lot easier. I think someone pointed out that they really have to look after the home front while we are down here and has done a great job. I am looking forward to spending a lot more time at home. I would also like to recognize a couple of the residents of Inuvik. I think here with the returning officers is Mr. Chris Garven. Good to see you here, Chris. Mr. Mitchell McQuarrie, welcome to the gallery. I failed to thank my constituency assistant in Inuvik...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did give a long retirement speech back in march, but I think I want to use this two minutes and 23 seconds left to thank the constituents of Inuvik Twin Lakes for allowing me to be their representative. I hope that I've represented them well. I hope I've conducted myself well in this Assembly. I know we've had our differences, but I would expect nothing less. Some of my biggest debates, arguments if you want to call them, were with people who I consider friends of mine, and that's what we do. So you're doing your job, I'm doing mine, but at the end of the day I hope...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is unfortunate; I didn't want to have to stand up and speak and have to defend a $410 million capital budget that provides opportunities for folks across the Northwest Territories, especially in a lot of the smaller communities.

I have heard some of the concerns. I do recall sitting before committee on a number of occasions with this particular appropriation, plus others that we had been working on. To say that there was no input from committee I think is misleading the public. To say that this is a budget that doesn't seem to address the municipal gap, it is good...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 61, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2020-2021, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would request a recorded vote.

There are a number of options that our department needs to look at. I think we've heard from the Member from Mackenzie Delta about their programs with grizzly bears, and if we would consider the number of tags that are used or allocated. It is something else we would have to look at. In this particular area, we would have to look at it, the bear problem in the Beau-Del, as well. We need to take all these factors into consideration as we try and help alleviate the problem of animal-human conflict.