Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process is underway. It was underway prior to the release of the report when we were certain that it was coming. We have staff with ENR in the lead from across departments. We’re working with the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline office in Hay River and we’re working through committee systems with deputies to pull together the response and the work on the responses for the JRP with a goal to hitting the timelines so we can make sure there’s no further delays that we can get our responses in to the National Energy Board.

Yes, the Member can anticipate that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those are all good questions that need to be answered and that we’re going to be considering. No, we’re not anywhere near ready to have talks outside of government. The work is barely a couple weeks old and we have a lot more to do.

We’ve accumulated since 2005 a considerable amount of information on nearly every herd now, with the possible exemption of the Ahiak, that looks on cow/calf ratio, bull/cow ratio, general health of the herd, calf survival, all those types of things. We gave an overview to committee earlier this week. If there is a wish for more detailed survey information, we’d be willing to provide that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Work has been done to get the most accurate survey results we can for the Bathurst. Each diamond mine is required, by their operating licensing work that they commit to, to look at the impact that they have and sort of try to minimize any disruption to the wildlife in the area, including the caribou. That would take into play BHP, Diavik, as well as Snap Lake. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, in due course, that information will be public. I can’t at this moment commit to making anything public before it has gone through our internal process. Thank you.

I have seen nothing, nor am I aware currently of any plan to do any of this work, consult to modify or any other work required in secret. We know that we have to be accountable and we will definitely be keeping the issue of making sure the public are fully informed in mind as we go forward. Thank you.

We will be taking all the appropriate steps using all the appropriate mechanisms that are determined to be necessary to possibly be invoked as we look at the recommendations one by one. I have not seen the work to date. I know that the officials are at it. We know that we have some tight timelines and we know we want it to be clear, comprehensive and be able to stand scrutiny and be shown to have followed due process. Thank you.

I as well would like to take this opportunity to recognize some constituents: Mr. Ken Hudson, the president of the Métis Local in Fort Smith; hunter and carpenter, Louise Fraser, as well part of the Métis and a respected elder; and of course Betty Villebrun, President of the Northwest Territories Métis. Welcome.

The government was involved in the process up to this point and will continue to be involved fully in the process as we bring it forward to conclude the regulatory process.