Bob Bromley

I appreciate the Minister’s remarks. The Minister did list quite a number of important steps that are going to be required. I know there are more that he’s aware of. That is an issue. I think the potential for big gains here in community energy systems is huge, but it’s going to take quite a bit of education and support to enjoy the realization of those opportunities. Obviously a cross-departmental approach again with ITI and other departments. I’m glad the Minister is thinking about that I look forward to perhaps a briefing on the Biomass Strategy and next steps there.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I actually stand guilty as charged.

---Laughter

That was a grievous error and, in fact, it reflects the main principal of my argument which was with consultation. These sorts of errors can be avoided but, better than that, we can put forward much better information.

I had today a set of questions I intended to ask. In that, I was going to make the comment that, in fact, I had read that wrong. The letter did say rejected but, upon closer examination, it said the proponents had rejected that recommendation. I have some other difficulty with what we did...

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate that more specific information. That sounds good. We have to start there. Again, I have to admit, I’m never clear whether an inventory is the same as sustainable harvest assessment. Hopefully that is incorporated or enabled by that and we can actually get to that program. That is what community business or a community government is going to need to initiate a program. I am trying to stay as focused as possible there but, again, I appreciate that information.

I would also like to ask about the mushroom harvest as we know near Behchoko last year. It is probably greater...

Mr. Krutko, did you wish to go back?

It will be good to see the pattern of updates there. On the biomass side of things, I believe that’s in this section. I believe the department is developing a Biomass Strategy. I have questions about that. Where are we at with our capacity for implementing such a strategy and is that something that’s appropriately talked about in this division? I’ll just start with that.

Moving to detail. We will defer page 11-7, the department summary, Transportation, operations expenditure summary. Does committee agree that we defer?

I’ve been asking for this for a couple of years now. We’ve been developing a Biomass Strategy. Obviously, that’s going nowhere unless we know what the sustainable harvest rate is for our forests. Again, I’m wondering if we’ve determined yet what the sustainable harvest is for any forest, any area of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

What’s your motion, Mr. Krutko?

Mr. Chairman, if there are areas that our uptake is declining, is there a formula or a mechanism in place to ensure that those funds get put into an area where there is more interest in or perhaps a new area that we haven’t assisted on?