Michael Miltenberger

Given the length of time left in the life of this government, I will assure the Member that it will be sooner rather than later.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Member that this is an ongoing issue. I have raised the matter with the deputy and his officials. We’re looking at some options. There’s going to be contact with the community to see the depth and degree of the community concerns. One of the options I mentioned possibly to the Member is if there is a bunch or number of incorrigible buffalo, as there are on Highway No. 3, for example, when the hunting season starts, the buffalo are not to be seen after the first couple of shots or the first couple of bison are brought down. We’re prepared to consider...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act, be read for the third time.

I will confirm with the Member the time. We’ll try to work with the before-Christmas date suggested by the Member. The Member has mentioned the possibility of a buffalo drive to Saskatchewan. Once again, we want to check with the community to see the degree of their concern and is that the best option. We’re not going to rule anything out at this point.

I don’t have the exact number before me, but clearly too many.

---Laughter

We’re prepared to work with the Member and the community to resolve this issue.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a joint committee that’s been formed and we are going to assist them with funding to staff a coordinator to work with us as we do the increased monitoring and supervision of implementation of the plan. The Member is correct that there will be ongoing assessment to see how things are going and if resources are an issue.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, Environment and Natural Resources has the lead with the file as it pertains to the development of the Biomass Strategy and implementation across the North. We, as the government, have put $60 million over four years for alternative energy. One significant piece of that is dedicated towards biomass. There is funding available for different projects.

Once again, I’d have to check with the department and maybe talk to the Member and get some more detail, but there is a biomass plan, there is funding in place to assist with biomass projects. The question would have to be to see what...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 13, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2011-2012, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make infrastructure expenditures for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Thank you.