Kevin O'Reilly
Statements in Debates
I think I understand some of that. I'm not sure I necessarily agree with it all, but is there an MOU or some formal agreement between GNWT and the Water Board over reporting of the staff and who is responsible for what? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Minister's commitment, but so far, the solutions haven't worked with the fiscal strategy of Cabinet to reduce this department because it hasn't been able to accomplish everything that it wanted.
I want to ask, though: when was the last time that there was a good review done of a fire suppression in particular? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Yes, that's what I was worried about. Look, the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program is established under federal legislation, the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. It's part 6. It's the audit function and state of the environment function for the MVRMA. If there is money to be taken out to support legislative initiatives, where is the legislation to actually set up the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program to a greater extent than what is already in Part 6 of the MVRMA?
If we're using this as a pot to shuffle off money for other departmental activities, in my view...
Thanks, Mr. Chair. The employees, are they employees of the Water Board or of ENR? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, that's what I was most worried about. These reductions are not necessarily going to be confined to forest management. They might be made elsewhere within the department. Is that what I heard? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Yes, thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I appreciate that, and I want to encourage the Minister to have a costed cash flow moving forward for our contribution toward the management of this area. I don't think $290,000 is going to cut it, but I am happy to see what he is going to come forward with.
I wonder, though, too: can the Minister tell us whether we have any staff who are being trained for the management of this new area? Are there secondments going on with Parks Canada? What are we doing to get ready to assume management responsibility for this new area? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. It's on page 96, the Inuvialuit Water Board. I think I know the answer, but why is the Government of the Northwest Territories paying the operating expenses for this board and not the other land and water boards? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. That was all SEED money, though; right? Is that what I think I heard the Minister say?
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think I heard the Minister say that he is open, then, to receiving more information about how the destination marketing organization is going to roll out and what additional support our government might provide to help support the burgeoning tourism industry here in Yellowknife? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. Could he share that marketing plan, then, with standing committee? Thanks, Mr. Chair.