Debates of May 19, 2011 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning I received an excellent briefing from officials of Municipal and Community Affairs updating the work being done on the Recreational Leasing Policy Framework in the Yellowknife block land transfer area. Control of squatting and protection of the watershed of the Yellowknife drinking water supply are major issues for my constituents. Here again the biggest obstacle, though, is how to get comprehensive action in the negligent federal government on this issue.

The GNWT can hardly control squatting or protect our waters when the federal government does nothing on immediately adjacent lands within the watershed. For example, 26 squatters are on the east side of Prosperous alone.

I’ve asked before and I’ll ask again, is this government demanding action from our federal overlords. Will he write the new AAND Minister and demand action?

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that briefing went very well. We do have some concerns that have been raised before with the squatters on the INAC side of it. Or I’m not sure what it’s called now, AAND? On the AAND side of it. I can commit to the Member that at the first possible opportunity I will communicate to the federal Minister our desire to see them try to be a little more stringent on their part. This just goes to show another excellent opportunity as to why the devolution would work in the Northwest Territories, because we would be in control of the land and decision-making authority on those lands.

Thanks for the Minister’s commitment there. I did expect to hear the response that this is why we need devolution, of course, but obviously that will be then and this is now.

We control the lands on the west side of Prosperous, they control it on the east, and they’re not doing anything. I’m wondering, though, since the Minister mentions devolution, the federal government has indicated to the Premier and this government that they will give GNWT more involvement, at least now that an AIP is signed. How will the Minister of MACA use this opportunity to exert our influence, use our example, and get control of this intolerable situation?

There is an opportunity and commitment that was made by the federal government that we’ll have to explore to ensure that we take full advantage of it so that we don’t have the glut that we’re having over on the east side of Prosperous Lake.

I appreciate that commitment again from our Minister. Of course, that was just an example, the east side of Prosperous. It’s within the entire watershed. MACA is moving the Recreational Leasing Policy Framework forward proficiently and says public consultations will begin shortly. Can the Minister inform us of the schedule for consultations and give his assurance that the opportunity for input will be widely publicized so that non-resident users of the area will know they can’t contribute? Obviously, we have cottage owners that live throughout the city.

We see the meeting this morning with Prosperous Lake Association as part of the consultation process. As for an actual schedule, I would have to commit to the Member that I don’t have the actual schedule with me, and how they’re going to go about it and where they’re going to go. I will commit to the Member that I’ll get that information and I’ll share it with him.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks again to the Minister. I’m also well impressed with MACA’s new vigilance in enforcement to prevent new cases of squatting in the block land transfer area. Are you listening, federal government? Can the Minister say what the status on legal actions is here?

There have been a couple of cases where we’ve had to go after those that are squatters. We’ve had some complaints from people who hold legitimate leases. We’ve taken action against them.

I have to say that I’ve been very impressed with the buy-in that we’ve had from folks out there. They’ve had a lot of opportunity to come in and legitimize their leases. A lot of them have taken us up on that. I have to say I’m particularly impressed with the folks up in Inuvik at Airport Lake, where every single cabin out there has come forward and gotten applications to fill out.

We see this as a process that’s gone along quite smoothly. Of course, there are some challenges along the way, but I think we’re in a good position to meet those challenges and I think we’re going to be able to, at the end of the day, come up with a good product that’s good for the government and particularly good for the legitimate leaseholders, that way they don’t have to worry too much about the squatters out there. I see this as a process that’s working very well, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.