Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to continue to ask questions to the Minister of ENR regarding the caribou problem as I see it. In the Minister’s own words, we don’t know the exact numbers out there, but I propose positive suggestions out there, such as issuing a third and fourth tag to potential hunters who want these. So would the Minister consider those ideas and come back with a response? It’s a positive suggestion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister Miltenberger.

Return To Question 507-15(4): Caribou Management Policies And Procedures

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

I thank the Member for his interest, but not at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 507-15(4): Caribou Management Policies And Procedures

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, that was a horrible response, Mr. Speaker. You know, his little wishy washy responses, Mr. Speaker, are quite offensive to hunters out there who are resident hunters, Mr. Speaker. We need to be very clear. Earlier he said, well, you know, we have a learning curve. So he never even answered the question of what happens in an honest mistake. What if a hunter, a resident hunter shoots a cow instead? I need a clear response what the Minister is going to do and instruct his enforcement staff when that case happens, because it will happen.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 507-15(4): Caribou Management Policies And Procedures

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I listen very carefully to all the Members’ questions and I try to respond in a clear decisive way. He asked some questions, I did answer them. He may not like the answers, but that’s different than not answering the question and I believe I’ve been very clear. If in this process we’re going to be cognizant that there are some new guidelines coming into place, some new measures and there may be a learning curve and some time to make sure that everybody is up to speed and aware of the circumstances, and we’re going to have that in mind as we implement the interim measures. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 507-15(4): Caribou Management Policies And Procedures

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At least the Minister is consistent. I didn’t get an answer on that. So if a hunter goes out there, shoots a cow, what happens to this guy? Does he lose his truck, does he lose his gun, does he go to jail for two years? What happens if an honest mistake is made and an honest hunter is faced with the choice of hiding the meat or ignoring it? What happens? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 507-15(4): Caribou Management Policies And Procedures

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’ll ensure that the meat does not go to waste and, as I indicated, the officers will be very sensitive to the fact that we’ve changed the rules of hunting game here and we will work with that perspective in mind. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 507-15(4): Caribou Management Policies And Procedures

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I appreciate the passion that the Minister comes forward, but I mean an enforcement officer, are you telling me he has to make a judgment call? Why don’t we create a $100 tag directed just in case a cow is shot, therefore, a member of our public isn’t burdened with that type of risk of a judgment call and they pay $100 tag, which seems reasonable, because if the accident happens they shoot one, at least they’re covered? So what are we going to do to protect the accident that could happen? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 507-15(4): Caribou Management Policies And Procedures

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We believe we have laid out a reasonable approach. We’re going to work to implement it, lay out all the detail that we will transmit to the public and to the Members and that’s the approach that we’re going to take. Thank you.