Kevin O'Reilly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have nothing further to add.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Lands announced the establishment of the liabilities and financial assurances division in a news release dated September 12, 2014. This was in response to our newly inherited authority over lands and waters acquired through devolution. These are very significant new responsibilities and require careful management to ensure that we do not repeat the legacies and disasters left behind from the poor policies and legislation of the federal government. It is critically important that we get our financial security management system in order to prevent further public...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a further motion to amend this section of the mandate, if I may. I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of Government of Northwest Territories 2016-2019, be amended on page 13 by deleting the words “We will develop options for the implementation of the next five-year action plan for the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program.” and inserting the words “We will support the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, CIMP, and respond to recommendations in the Northwest Territories environmental audit for improved environmental management.” Thank you, Mr...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am aware that the Member who spoke previously may have some concerns around this, but I think the idea here is that we would, of course, as a government actually work collaboratively with Aboriginal governments and co-management bodies to ensure that we do have a sound financial security system. I hope that provides some assurances. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a further motion I would like to bring forward to change the mandate. I move that that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of Government of Northwest Territories 2016-2019, be amended on page 13 by deleting the words “develop an integrated comprehensive approach to the management of contaminated sites include prioritizing, sharing of responsibility with other governments, collaboration with other governments, and monitoring,” and inserting the words “develop an integrated comprehensive approach to the management of contaminated sites including prioritizing...

When we first started to discuss the mandate, I had proposed some changes to this section to try to make it a little more balanced. I will give some examples of those. The focus, really, in the fourth paragraph: “GNWT has a fiscal problem that will require expenditure management.” There is nothing in this section that talks about efficiencies or new revenues. I would look for a much more balanced approach. There are a couple of other parts of this that I find objectionable. Another sentence here that says, “We should not take any actions that will decrease investment or increase the cost of...

Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I talked about the document “We Live Here For Caribou: a Cumulative Impacts Study on the Bathurst Caribou Herd.” I'd like to table this document.

It is not just this MLA that is concerned about the state of the Bathurst caribou herd. The Mackenzie Valley Review Board said this in its February 1, 2016, report on the Jay Project, “The lack of a management plan for the Bathurst caribou herd during a period of very low numbers and a declining population is unacceptable to the Review Board. There is no evidence the GNWT is developing a herd recovery strategy. The Review Board notes that the GNWT was required by Section 12.11.2 of the Tlicho Agreement to prepare a comprehensive proposal for the management of the Bathurst caribou herd...

I had a very close look at the mandate over the weekend and tried to follow its development from the first draft to the third draft, and have a number of observations I'd like to offer today. I recognize this is a new process for everyone and that it was really intended to improve consensus government and build stronger accountability. I think it may be a bit scary to some to develop specific measurable commitments and deliverables for which you would be held accountable, but I guess that's what I had expected to see in the document. I want to start with some positive comments and thoughts...

Merci, [English translation not available]. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, I talked about the catastrophic decline in the Bathurst caribou herd, and I would like to ask a question of the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. It appears that the burden of the management responses to the decline of the Bathurst caribou herd have fallen on the resource harvesters. Can the Minister tell us what concrete actions have been taken in terms of habitat protection for the Bathurst caribou herd? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.