Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last couple of weeks I and a few of my colleagues have raised concerns about the current public consultation process that has taken place between November 24, 2010, and January 31, 2011, on the new NWT Wildlife Act. Although the Minister continues to suggest that all due process has taken place and that the public consultation process has been conducted appropriately, many throughout the Northwest Territories remain concerned. Mr. Speaker, I’m one of them.
Mr. Speaker, the public consultation process on the proposed Wildlife Act began on November 24th when the public draft, plain language document and consultation schedule were released publicly. Essentially when these items were released it was the first time that the public had an opportunity to see the department’s proposal firsthand. The first opportunity interest groups throughout the Northwest Territories had an opportunity to dig into the details to ensure that the proposal truly is in the best interest of all people of the Northwest Territories.
Originally, all public meetings were scheduled to run from November 24th until December 25th, which is 22 days, Mr. Speaker. The dates were ultimately extended until the end of January as a number of important stakeholders were missed in the initial round. So excluding Christmas break when all GNWT offices are closed, the total days available for input, based on the distributed draft and plain language document, was 47 days, Mr. Speaker, and that includes weekends. Forty-seven days, Mr. Speaker. Forty-seven days for interested stakeholders to conduct in-depth analysis on a 70-page, incredibly complex act. Forty-seven days without any support from the government in any way, shape or form.
Mr. Speaker, this seems ridiculous and hardly provides me or many stakeholders with confidence that the Minister was or is truly interested in hearing anything that these groups have to say.
Further, the Aboriginal groups that participated in the drafting of the legislation were financially compensated for their involvement and participation. They had dollars available to do their legal reviews and attend the meetings. Other stakeholders did not have this support or opportunity from the government.
Mr. Speaker, this particular public consultation is suspect. More of a real transparent consultation is required. Mr. Speaker, and this is important, it’s more important to get this act right than to get it right now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
