Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to thank the department for starting the fire crew in Tsiigehtchic once again. It's the second year after they had a lay-off of about eight years, I believe, or six to eight years anyway. It's good to see that we're actually training more people and, you know, being more prepared for major fires here. You know, hopefully, knock on wood, that the rest of the summer we don't have much activity in fires, but it's always better to be prepared and have people on standby. As we were saying in the briefings, you know, it's better to put these fires out before they...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under timber permits and licences, I know a few years back when we started doing the volunteer permitting for driftwood, anybody that collected driftwood, it seems like the department is making it mandatory now. I would just like to get a little information on that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the community meeting, what the people actually wanted to see was these courses offered before the election. That way people will know which responsibilities the council will have before they actually run. I'd just like to ask the Minister if they would be willing to offer these courses through the fall. Mahsi.

Also during the update, the department said they were going to go through the hiring process for an SAO for the community. I'd just like to ask the Minister: was an SAO hired for the community at this time?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating one of my constituents from the hamlet of Aklavik: Ms. Davina McLeod. Ms. McLeod was recently recognized by Sport North and awarded the 2015-2016 Female Athlete of the Year. Mr. Speaker, at a young age, Davina was taught how to skate by her father, Dave McLeod, and how to compete competitively at hockey tournaments. The support from her mother, Nina McLeod, has never stopped. Regardless of where Davina had to travel, Nina was in the stands cheering on her favourite hockey star. Mr. Speaker, in March, at the 2016 Arctic...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under the fur pricing program, you know, I know we're well above other agents like the Yukon and other areas throughout Canada. I sure hope this program continues. It really helps out the trappers. I just wanted to commend the department on that. I know the struggles they have in the Yukon compared to our trappers here in the NWT, and I've really noticed a lot more younger people going out trapping. It goes to show that Take a Kid Trapping is very successful, and I just hope that those programs continue. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Start under disaster compensation. I see there is only $15,000 there. As you may know, in previous years, especially in Fort McPherson and sometimes Aklavik, we have a lot of flooding in these areas, a lot of camps that are usually under water. This spring I have seen a couple of houses floating there. It is at the same water level as DOT stores its ferries. It is within reason. Just offhand, would the deputy minister know how many claims we have had in that area? Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Usually on these boards, we always have one designate for GNWT or all the signatories of the herds there. I just want to ensure that our member is communicating well with ENR or the department because, for example, I've noticed that PCMB… I sat on the board when the management plan was developed. It showed that the population is 198,000 which is getting to the point of overpopulation. We have to ensure that our member is aware of this and that brings this up its board meetings. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

No.

Yes, thank you. Mr. Chair, at the time I recall it pretty clearly, because I saw on the renewable resource consult when it came up in the meeting. You know, at the time it was told to the people, as it's voluntary. It's just there to keep track of how much wood is being used. I know it's not a big deal to get the permit. It's just the actual process of making it mandatory. I think it should go back to the communities, just so people are more aware of it. Thanks.