David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier in regard to a letter that was written to the Premier back on April 19th, some six months ago, from the president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council outlining concerns that they’ve had in regard to the devolution process and elements that they feel are critical to making sure that the agreements that we do negotiate for devolution include some of these aspects, regardless of division of powers and responsibilities. We’re looking at the distribution of revenues in regard to how the existing different agreements reflect the population of a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Prior to discussing the issue on devolution yesterday, there was a press release that was released yesterday afternoon from the Gwich’in Tribal Council that clearly identifies that they are not supportive of the draft Northwest Territories devolution agreement. Also in the media release was a response to a letter that was written to the Premier back on April 19th which outlined a bunch of items that they’d like the Premier to discuss with them on how the division of powers was going to be looked at, looking at how the sharing of resources and revenues was going to be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the elements that they talk about in the agreement is the whole area of distribution of royalty wealth of which 25 percent is going to aboriginal organizations in the Northwest Territories. The other 75 percent is going to the Government of the Northwest Territories. Those governments represent 50 percent of the population of the Northwest Territories and they represent 27 communities. I’d like to know if we have looked at the possibility of seeing how this arrangement is being divvied up and will we consider reallocation of that formula so that it’s more...

In the letter there are several items, six items which were part of the media release that came out yesterday. I’d like to ask the Premier, has your department taken into consideration these six elements that were in the letter in regard to the negotiation of the devolution process and were they even brought to the negotiating table.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize three constituents in the gallery. There’s Gladys Edwards from Aklavik, we don’t get many constituents here so… Charlene Blake from Tsiigehtchic and also Maria McSwain from Fort McPherson. I’d like to welcome you to the House. Mahsi.

Again, under the land claim agreement it’s pretty clear that the Government of the Northwest Territories shall involve the Gwich’in in the development of an implementation of a Northern Accord for oil and gas development in the Northwest Territories, pursuant to a negotiation enabling agreement, September 5, 1988, between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories, which is the Northern Accord agreement. So I’d like to ask the Premier, are we sticking to the elements of the 1988 agreement in ensuring that we have the conclusion of those negotiations with the...

Similar question as my colleague from Nahendeh in regard to some sort of dust control. In the past we have had a program for main street dust control. Back in the 14th Assembly there were a few communities that had been identified and I know I have raised this issue with the Minister. Also, what we’re finding is that the communities that did receive the dust control in regard to main street chipseal, but the life of that chipseal is pretty well up now and a lot of them originate off the highway system in regard to Fort Liard using that, for instance, Fort McPherson where they’ve done main...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honour to recognize Maryann Ross, the vice-president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council. Welcome, Maryann.

My other question was: I’ve looked in the budget and there’s $1.4 million for the Tuk resource gravel access road. Can you elaborate on what the $1.4 million is for?

I have heard the concerns of the communities, but there have also been concerns regarding the licence the government has obtained in the past which clearly specifically stipulates the amount of gravel that was going to be used, which I believe was 500 cubic metres. In most cases you’re exceeding 1,500 cubic metres for the approaches. Also in the licence it talked about the gravel being screened. The gravel is not being screened.

I’d like to know that we have environmental regulations or standards that we’re supposed to meet as government, but, more importantly, mitigate efforts. I know that we...