Debates of May 30, 2023 (day 157)

Date
May
30
2023
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
157
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O’Reilly, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Ms. Semmler, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon Armstrong
Topics
Statements

Question 1534-19(2): Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation Wildlife Enforcement Action

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, despite the high court the highest court in the land finding the actions of the GNWT unlawful on the raid of Timber Bay, the Minister has still refused to apologize and take steps to repair the relationships with Lutselk'e Dene First Nation.

Mr. Speaker, when will an internal review of the GNWT officers' conduct at Timber Bay be completed, and will the results be made public? This is the Minister of ENR. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. Minister responsible for Environment and Climate Change.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I have to thank the Member for the questions. But I have to thank him for his diligence in working with me to actually have the opportunity to speak with Chief Marlowe in a facetoface meeting. So, again, I thank him for his work as a constituent MLA for Tu NedheWiilideh.

In regards to his question, after concerns were brought forth in the media in relationship to the officers' conduct, ECC committed to undertake an external review of the officers' conduct during the investigation. Once the investigation is completed, work is currently underway to be ready to start the officers' conduct review once the investigation is completed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, I guess, if I could make this a twopart question, I guess, maybe. When would the review be complete and the other one is, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to meet me, with Chief Marlowe and the Lutselk'e Dene First Nation council and the elders, in the community of Lutselk'e to discuss a better collaborative relationship before the end of the term of this Legislative Assembly? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the report's done, we will make sure we'll get the report done when we get it done.

I have written to the leadership on several occasions regarding Timber Bay and offered to meet to discuss reconciliation efforts once the investigation is completed. ECC remains committed to our partnership with leadership. As previously stated, I will be happy to look at the community's event that would help foster reconciliation when the investigation is completed. This is related to an ongoing legal action. I'm unable to comment further on the search or the investigation to subjective illegal hunting and wastage in the mobile zone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister here today apologize for the unlawful actions of his officers during the Timber Bay raid? We've been waiting for an apology from the Minister as a result of this court being thrown out. Would he apologize to my constituents, the chief and council, and the people in my riding? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that the search at Timber Bay was very difficult for some of the people at the camp who were not harvesting wildlife or were harvesting wildlife in a respectful and lawful way. This was not the intent of the officers. At the time, our officers understood that they were carrying out a lawful search based on a warrant issued by the justice of the peace. As the investigation of this case is ongoing, I am unable to speak more on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I find it a little bit confusing. The judge has already made his decision. This case has already been thrown out. And because it's unlawful. So, again, Mr. Speaker, my constituents demand justice for the raid. I will ask again, will the Minister apologize here today for the unlawful action for his officers during the Timber Bay raid? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said previously I've acknowledged that the search at Timber Bay was very difficult for some of the people at the camp who were not harvesting wildlife or harvesting wildlife in a respectful and lawful way. This was not the intent of the officers. As the investigation of this case is ongoing, I will not be able to speak further on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.