Debates of October 20, 2004 (day 24)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago, we all heard about the grizzly bear attack on two workers at Colomac Mine. This incident resulted in serious injuries to two young men. Mr. Speaker, it could have been much worse. Those men are lucky to be alive today. It is very disturbing to me, Mr. Speaker, that there have been reports of this bear in the area and still no action was taken to protect these workers. They were not even allowed to have a gun with them at that time. Mr. Speaker, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before it happens again. We are hearing more and more reports of grizzly bear encounters with hunters, outfitters, tourists and temp workers. The bears are also causing extensive damage to cabins and equipment.

Mr. Speaker, conservation and protection of species that are at risk is important, but is it more important than public safety? We have to do something to resolve this issue. The policies, regulations and laws we have now are not working. Not only that, we don’t respect our Dene custom and values. Our culture varies from region to region, but traditionally, we would shoot a bear when we need to and then use the meat and the fur. There were no wastages, Mr. Speaker. Now we have to call RWED any time we shoot a grizzly and justify why we did it or we can get charged. The wildlife officers take the carcasses, and I don’t even know, Mr. Speaker, what they do with it. More also needs to be done at the community level to educate the public, the residents and especially the youth on bear safety.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development have good bear videos, but are they available in aboriginal languages? How often are they shown in small communities? Mr. Speaker, later today, I am going to be asking the Minister what he is doing specifically to address this issue, and I hope his answers won’t be just that it is going to be dealt with within the new Wildlife Act that is being proposed, because there have been a lot of promises made over the last number of years for things to be dealt with within the new act.

Mr. Zoe, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Speaker, there have been a lot of promises made over a number of years for things to be dealt with within the new Wildlife Act, but we are still waiting today. Nothing has been done by this government. Later on this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, I will be questioning the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Thank you.

---Applause