Debates of March 1, 2006 (day 39)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, caribou management has been a topic of great importance to me of late, but equally important to my constituents is the issue of bison management.

Mr. Speaker, the Hook Lake bison recovery project has been providing food and employment opportunities to my constituents since its conception. The Deninu Kue residents do not want to see this project come to a sad and sudden end, especially after many years of active community participation and the gathering of scientific research this project has provided this government with in order to better manage our wildlife.

Mr. Speaker, the Deninu Kue residents will be meeting with the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources tomorrow to discuss the fate of this project, but it seems that it has been communicated to me that the fate of the Hook Lake Bison Recovery Program has already been sealed without the consent or consultation of the community members.

Mr. Speaker, I hope this is not the case. I look forward to the Minister’s visit tomorrow in which we can find and look for some direction to an agreeable, cooperative approach to our -- and I stress our, Mr. Speaker -- bison management plan that the community can agree to and cooperate with. Thank you.

---Applause