Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before my questions, just in the event of support and a small glimmer of hope, today I wear my Canada Winter Games pin here, just so we know.
---Laughter
Mr. Speaker, through you, my questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. During campaigning, many residents raised the issue of the Thaidene Nene National Park. While most were supportive of this development, some were confused with the overall structure of the park. From what I have learned recently, part of the area will be a national park under federal control, with others being under territorial control. I'm wondering if the Minister can give us a little more detail on what is planned for this important and beautiful area of the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Member for the question. The Member is right: This is an important and extremely beautiful part of the Northwest Territories, truly an area worth protecting for the current and future generations of people of the Northwest Territories and Canada. The GNWT has worked collaboratively towards that goal of protection with Aboriginal governments, Parks Canada, and other stakeholders. Our aim was to develop the made-in-the-NWT solution that gave us the exposure and investment associated with the federal and national park, while at the same time allowing us to use our legislative and regulatory instruments, policies and strategies, et cetera -- for example, northern tools -- to achieve northern land management objectives. The concept of northern tools is not new. It comes from Land Use Sustainability Framework finalized during the 17th Assembly. That document outlined a vision for land use in the NWT, and I would invite all Members to review this important and well-crafted document. We’ve come a long way in a short time on our first rollout of northern tools, but much work remains. I will be looking for the support of the Assembly to continue that work and to help realize our goal in protecting this important area.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I have heard from numerous constituents that they are concerned about accessing the area after a park is created. Can the Minister provide us some details around access issues? I'm thinking specifically about whether there will be a fee for residents to access either federally or territorially controlled areas and/or if there will be other restrictions placed on residents entering the area once the park is created.
There may very be well a nominal fee for park access, but we are in the early days on this issue. I can say that we intend to work with Parks Canada to ensure that the experience for park users is seamless, so that people can move between the territorial and federal portions without really knowing that they are doing so.
We often say that the North is unique, and that is true in many respects, Mr. Speaker. For example, parks in the North are large, open and undisturbed areas where wildlife roams free in their natural habitat. As a result of our uniqueness, some of the rules used in national parks may not be appropriate for the NWT. Has that been taken into consideration by the department as this initiative has advanced and, if so, can the Minister elaborate?
Absolutely. These items have been and will continue to be taken into account as we move forward. A good example of this is we use the firearms for personal protection. We need to make sure we consider our unique northern context when we approach such issues. Our northern tools approach offers us that flexibility. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and lastly, I asked earlier about what limitations this new park might have on residents. I'm wondering if the Minister can expand on his response and provide more detail on what limitations, if any, this new park will have on industry.
I want to be clear, there will be areas where industrial activities will not be permitted within the park. Our research, however, has helped to ensure that areas of high mineral potential have been excluded and it will allow some industrial activities to take place. This too is part of the balance approach offered by northern tools. Beyond this the possibility, more importantly, the creation of this area also allows us to diversify the economy by opening up an entirely new industry, the conservation economy, with focus on tourism and recreational activities.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
