Debates of May 17, 2007 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise again to speak to the issue of squatters and land availability in the Yellowknife area. We know there is a big demand for recreational properties. We also know that because no new leases have been made available for many years, some people have helped themselves and went out to build structures, some more permanent than others, without permission or further legal right to be out there on that land. The area around the Ingraham Trail is particularly affected by these so-called trespassers or even squatters. There have been many previous debates in this House about this issue. Discussions have taken place and commitments were even made. For example, the previous MACA Minister promised some sort of interim agreement prior to the affected First Nations final land claim. He promised this agreement would free up land for recreational use. Last year, the government still hoped for a land use plan for the Yellowknife watershed development area. Where are those initiatives, Mr. Speaker? They are nowhere to be found.

With summer before us, it is just a gentle reminder that the government needs to pursue its previous commitments it has made in this House to work towards a solution.

I would like to point out the importance of a tri-party discussion in order to find a solution for the increased demand for recreational lands, while respecting the ongoing land claim process and self-government negotiations. MACA needs to work with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and the land claimant groups to solve this issue, Mr. Speaker, once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, opportunity is before us. With such approaches as win-win solutions, we can find ways to do this. I will give you some examples of those win-wins. We would open up more lots so recreation opportunities can happen. We have cottage country within five minutes from Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker. We would also be able to eliminate the need for people squatting on that land, which is wrong and they are not doing much about it.

The last thing we could say is we could be creating tax-based opportunities out there for First Nations people as well as the Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories. So, Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of ways we can go on this. It all works well. The bottom line is First Nations people are concerned about what is going on out there and people with legal rights are concerned with what is going on out there. So, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of MACA at the appropriate time. I would like to finally see him do something on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause