Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I spoke about Canadian Rangers. I have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. There's no real direct ministerial portfolio that lines up with the Canadian Rangers, so I'm going to start here and see where it takes us. I'd like to ask the Minister if he's prepared to reach out to the federal government to start discussions on an increased role for the Canadian Rangers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister for Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for that question. The Canadian Rangers do not fall under my responsibility, but under Environment and Natural Resources and Transportation a number of initiatives do. We can reach out to the federal government to see what type of programs and services are available to help the Canadian Rangers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Would the Minister look into the possibility, with the federal government, if the Canadian Rangers can play a greater role in the environmental cleanups, whether they fall under the responsibility of the GNWT or whether they fall under the responsibility of the federal government.
Since devolution, a number of waste sites are still under the responsibility of the federal government, but through the department of Environment and Natural Resources, I could sit down with the Member and discuss the possibilities that he is talking about with the Canadian Rangers and the federal government.
I'd like to ask the Minister if he's prepared to champion the possibility of creating jobs for the Canadian Rangers through the other Cabinet colleagues.
I would be glad to champion jobs for the Canadian Rangers across the north. As maybe a number of Members aren't aware, there are approximately 4,000 Rangers across Canada and 3,000 Junior Rangers in the country, so I would gladly take up the cause for that.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he sees a role for Canadian Rangers in the Protected Areas Strategy. Thank you.
The Protected Areas Strategy is something that's right across the Northwest Territories and region by region. That would be something we'd have to discuss with all of the proponents of these strategies.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
