Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I talked about some concerns and observations about the development of the Wildlife Act and I specifically noted Section 87. Just to boil straight down to it, close observation does create some contradictions as to what’s happening out there and, as I highlighted as well in my Member’s statement, ENR has said that they would try to make some accommodations but I think it really develops an industry of red tape.
For clarity, to start off with, could the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources define for the House and perhaps those people in the tourism industry what his definition is of “close observation”?
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can only assume that the Member in his reading of the 70-page bill would note as well that there’s a tremendous amount of good work in there. That’s going to be coming up for second reading. I know there’s been some e-mail traffic that I’ve seen, that I’m sure the Member has seen as well, with the specific issues that he’s raised. We believe that they’ve been addressed and if they haven’t been addressed, there’s going to be a time, should this bill be successful at second reading, to have those discussions so that when we come back after second reading and the consultation period, that whatever changes are agreed to are made that when we go for third reading we’ll have a bill that everyone can support.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. I’ll remind Members that the question, the bill is up for second reading and there’s time to debate it at second reading. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not trying to debate the bill in this particular instance because it is question period, but I’m just trying to get some sense of what’s actually happening and some definition of the particular bill that’s before the House as people have questions. I certainly have questions. That’s why I’m trying to get for the record what is the definition of the present bill of “close observation.” Because I’m trying to get a sense as to the contradiction it may have with the work ITI is doing when they’re trying to promote things like the outfitting industry to move towards the eco-industry.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I’m going to rule that question out of order. The proper time to ask that question is under the review of the bill.
---Ruled Out of Order
The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
