David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that by building a road to the Beaufort Sea is one way that we, as Canada, can show that we do have control of sea to sea to sea, which includes all the portions around Canada, but also developing an Arctic institute by way of either the Inuvik region or…

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot in regards to the Prime Minister’s announcement in regards to the Throne speech in regards to Arctic sovereignty and also looking at more military presence dealing with the many challenges seen by way of ships travelling back and forth. But yet, Mr. Speaker, we have heard very little on behalf of this government on exactly where we stand in regards to Arctic sovereignty, and yet, Mr. Speaker, the Arctic is our home, it is our territory, but yet we have not really responded on it. Mr. Speaker, the residents of Aklavik travel back and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the Premier’s commitment, I do believe, as a government, we have the unique programs out there. We have developed them over the years. But I think it is the lack of real adequate resources that are in those programs that really make them work. I think I mentioned the community access program. It is a good idea. It is a good initiative, but it is limited on the amount of resources that is in it. As a government, I think we should look at programs that do work and put more resources into them and make them accessible to all communities...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. It is in regards to the infrastructure needs in our communities. I am not making it sound like there is no need in the community of Aklavik. I know with the flood a couple of years ago, that we expended over $2 million hauling crushed gravel from Inuvik to Aklavik by barge. But yet, Mr. Speaker, there is a gravel source 15 kilometres from the community by way of Willow River. I think, as a government, that we do have a program called the community access road program, but it is very limited on really doing anything...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is there a possibility of this government meeting again with the Gwich’in Tribal Council on the MOU prior to the expiry date, which is March 31st, to look at seeing exactly what the contents of the new agreement is going to look like, but, more importantly, ensuring they also are able to implement the agreements by way of the Auditor General report and other federal reports that have identified problems, especially in the implementation of land claim agreements?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for ITI. It’s in regards to my Member’s statement and the memorandum of understanding we have with the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and also the meeting that took place a week and a half ago in regards to the commitment that we have within those agreements to have ongoing meetings with the Gwich’in Tribal Council, its leadership, and its business community. Yet, Mr. Speaker, after talking to the president of the tribal council and a couple of the aboriginal leaders, there was very little by way of content at that...

The motion is on the floor. The motion is not debatable. All those in favour of reporting progress? All those against? The motion is carried.

---Carried

With that, I will rise and report progress.

Okay. Does committee agree that’s the process we’ll use?

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. With that, does the committee agree that the Sessional Statement 1-16(1) has been concluded?

I will call Committee of the Whole back to order. We will begin with the sessional statement. General comments. Mr. Bromley.