Thank you very much. I’d like to ask the Minister of ITI a few questions. On our last visit to Nahanni Butte they spoke about establishing a nice park area on the other side of where the access road enters Nahanni Butte. I’d just like to ask the Minister what are the next steps that the community has to take in order to make this a reality for them. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was a real treat to visit Nahanni Butte and have a nice lunch with the residents of Nahanni Butte. At that time we had a very brief discussion on establishment of a park. I think the very first step should be a letter written to myself and also with some support from the Dehcho First Nations, I think, would be in order. Thank you.
Of course, it’s not in the capital plan yet, but how soon should that letter be in place and when is the next opportunity to put this into the capital plan? Thank you.
Establishment of parks doesn’t happen overnight and it’s a fairly formalized process that has about an eight-step process. A letter would start the process and I expect that with the support of the Aboriginal governments and with devolution, we could move that a lot faster than the existing system. Thank you.
I just realized that when you talk about parks and parking areas, that’s two different things there. ...(inaudible)...parking area and a camping area on the other side of the Liard River from where Nahanni Butte is, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
I’d like to thank the Member for clarifying that. We can begin to establish a parking lot a lot faster than we can establish a park.
---Laughter
That’s probably a three-step process. I think that if we get a letter we can probably take some interim measures to try and do something as early as next year. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much. It will certainly be something I will support and I will work with the community of Nahanni Butte and we will get something to the Minister’s office so, hopefully, we can get it into the capital planning process this summer and this fall, if the Minister is willing to work with the community towards that. Thank you.
We would be quite pleased to work with the Member and the community to make it happen. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
