Debates of October 20, 2016 (day 34)

Date
October
20
2016
Session
18th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
34
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Blake, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Ms. Green, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Robert McLeod, Hon. Bob McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Hon. Alfred Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O’Reilly, Hon. Louis Sebert, Hon. Wally Schumann, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vanthuyne
Topics
Statements

Member’s Statement on Tuktoyaktuk Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the last sitting I spoke about shoreline erosion in the Community of Tuktoyaktuk. Mr. Speaker, the climate is changing on a global scale with profound effects on local marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems across all continents. Moreover, although most regions of the world will be affected by these global processes, some of the areas of types of ecosystems such as the Arctic will experience effects of climate change more dramatically.

Mr. Speaker, as the Arctic melts the sea level is rising, the loss of our ice is challenging our communities dependent on snow and ice and turn these coastal communities at sea level, the global community shares that we are more common than we are different. In our relationship to the land the challenges we face as our land is changed rapidly and unpredictably, and the best practice is to mitigate these changes and adapt to the challenges. Subsistence-oriented communities have a multi-dimensional relationship with the land, the environment, the animals, and the plants it provides. This relationship is spiritual, physical, economic and cultural. Subsistence-oriented communities including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples depend on natural resources for our livelihoods and cultural identity.

Mr. Speaker, we know our land and our Indigenous knowledge of ecological systems can reflect great time depth. Our knowledge can deepen our understanding of the climate change by providing insight into its effects on ecosystems and people. In all regions of the world Indigenous peoples are observing multiple linked environmental changes. For example, as noted above, Arctic coastal communities link changes in sea ice, ice cover and dynamics to coastal erosion and recently the need to relocate some communities, Mr. Speaker. People also recognize that these changes have ramifying consequences such as effects on animal migration patterns. Many of the effects on climate change on communities' lifestyles. Fine-scale environmental changes have enormous consequences for Inuit communities. Mr. Speaker, today I will have questions for the Minister of MACA on the Tuktoyaktuk mitigation planning project. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.