Michael Miltenberger

I’ll take the Member’s advice and review the text to make sure that it’s accurate.

Mr. Chairman, at this point we are putting out that particular project, along with the section of highway, for example, on the Wrigley/Norman Wells, the potential road through the Tlicho, extensive generation work that needs to be done. As ideas, part of a plan, a vision of going forward and that should the borrowing limit be adjusted and allow us to make those investments, then we will be moving forward on whatever projects are going to be funded with all the detailed work that is necessary. At this point it’s...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As part of the review process from last fire season, as we go into the communities and into the regions, that discussion is taking place. We don’t have a big pot of money set aside. We would work with communities. We would work with individuals. We would look at putting the fire crews to work, for example, if they’re not otherwise occupied in communities, to help doing some of that work. Once again, we are encouraging individuals to fire smart all their own properties and whatever resources that communities may have, as well, to add to that. We will work with...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regards to the timber, I just wanted to make the observation, similar to wildlife or anything else that we do, is you can’t manage what you can’t count. So it’s a challenge in all areas. It’s a challenge, for example, with hunting and reporting. We’re working out ways we can get those numbers because it’s absolutely critical, as we see, when you look at managing any kind of resource like that. So, that’s the fundamental goal, not to infringe but on a conservation basis to be able to manage. You can’t manage what you can’t count. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, yes, we’ll look at talking to our colleagues from Lands and such. We can probably get a number of folks that live outside community boundaries. Thank you.

I just noted I didn’t respond to one specific question with regard to waste management and old vehicles. The answer is still the same. It’s on our list and we are going to work our way down there. We have been focusing on getting a territory-wide electronic waste recycling program on the go as our next big initiative. So, once again, it’s a question of time and capacity. There are old vehicles. Mr. Hawkins mentioned tires. We’ve had, as well, the issue of thousands of 45-gallon drums that are littered across the landscape. We know there are a lot of things we need to get to and we do have that...

Yes, we want to identify if there are gaps, be it in policy or procedures or standard operating procedures as well as any broader structural issues, equipment issues. This is a very comprehensive review, so we will be seeking to address those in anticipation of being ready for the upcoming season. Thank you.

I don’t have a definitive estimate at this point, but I will keep the House up to date when I do get that number. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the Member’s comments and his suggestions of where we could make life better. I want to reassure him that even though he challenges my memory, I have not forgotten what it’s like to be a Regular Member. I just want to reassure the Member of that as he constantly reminds me that I’ve forgotten, and I constantly remind him that I can well remember.

Unfortunately, I’m going to just tell him some things that he doesn’t want to hear. He says he knows the answers. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is working, in my opinion, at capacity. In fact...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We’re very interested in pursuing biomass initiatives. There are those projects underway in the community, as the Member indicates. As we achieve success, we’re interested in looking at those. There are other ones with the Willows and waste heat. I commend Fort McPherson, as well, for their initiative. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Mr. Ernie Campbell and Ms. Susan Craig from Environment and Natural Resources, the deputy minister and finance.