Bob Bromley

I’m wondering, the voluntary sector -- speaking specifically about the voluntary sector -- has called a number of times for an independent office within government, such as the Department of Executive, that would serve to simply help them in building capacity. That’s something this government has talked about a number of times. I think we may even have talked about it earlier in this session. The Premier I believe is putting some consideration into that. I’m wondering where the Premier is at or when we might be able to give a positive response to these organizations that are requesting that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions follow up on my Member’s statement from earlier today and are directed to the Premier as the Minister of Executive. I’d like to ask, recognizing that civil society in the voluntary sector is an important third leg on the stool of government market and the civil society, what actions are we taking as a government to ensure a strong civil society and voluntary sector in a jurisdiction where our government sector is so huge and powerful? Of course, we have a strong market sector.

I’d like to recognize Chief Eddie Sangris of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and a constituent of Weledeh. I’d also like to recognize my elders, who are getting fewer, Mr. Ed Jeske and, of course, Mike Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I won’t attempt to repeat the title. I want to begin by pointing out that we are reviewing the Joint Review Panel’s letter of response today in Committee of the Whole only because the letter was tabled by a Regular Member, permitting this limited opportunity for public debate.

This government has again failed, first, to provide Members with regular updates, leaving Members to rely upon public registries to receive information. Second, it has failed to proactively provide opportunities for debate of this matter by Regular Members in this Assembly. Again, Mr. Chairman...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that commitment again. Let me just ask whether there is anything we can do on this side of the House or, in fact, that our voluntary sector could do to help support the Premier in making that positive decision.

I appreciate those comments and those actions that are being taken. I think what I’m talking about too is, as a third arm I think we have the role of assisting communities in recognizing that they have a responsibility and an opportunity in fulfilling an important role that’s sort of independent of government. It’s a self-strengthening exercise, if you will. Government has a role in helping them out in that. I’m wondering if we are working with communities to get that sort of independent spirit out there and helping them recognize the role that actually individuals and families and communities...

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the exceptional achievement of one of Weledeh riding’s world-class athletes: speed skater Michael Gilday.

---Applause

Michael Gilday produced a solid performance for Canada during the first World Cup races of the season held October 22nd to 24th in Montreal, Quebec. Michael took home the silver medal in the 1,000 metre event and the gold in the men’s 5,000 metre relay. Just this past weekend he received his first individual gold medal win in the 1,500 metre event in Korea. Michael has now medalled four times in World Cup competition.

Mr. Gilday’s sights are set...

I appreciate the response from the Minister. I have no doubt that he’s fully committed to making sure that does progress strongly during the two years of this interim agreement. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation agreement contains measures for a limited harvest to meet subsistence needs. One aspect of this is, of course, the understanding of what sort of adequacy this meets in terms of their nutritional and subsistence requirements and so on. I’m wondering if the Minister could tell me what we must see in terms of herd recovery before the harvest guidelines will be opened up a bit to meet...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources in follow up to my Member’s statement earlier today.

Mr. Speaker, the agreement with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation around the management of the Bathurst caribou herd is a two-year plan of activities. I’m wondering if the Minister can tell me what resources, both the dollars, direct dollar support and personnel support, staffing support, are being provided to the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to carry out their end of the bargain and whether this is going to be assessed partway...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Caribou have been essential to the nutritional, cultural and spiritual well-being of the Yellowknives Dene since time immemorial, as I’ve recognized earlier. I recognize that the Minister is providing for some alternatives in the meantime, such as opening the season on bison and assisting Dene to hunt other herds. However, caribou are also extremely important to many non-Dene in similar ways. What measures are being put in place to provide them with increased access to alternate meat sources such as bison and other caribou herds as their numbers improve?