Michael Nadli

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people in my region, I want to say welcome to Kakisa. Kakisa was founded in 1962 when the Slavey people living near Tathlina Lake moved closer to the Mackenzie Highway. It is now home to 54 NWT residents. Close to 80 percent of the residents can speak in their own Aboriginal language.

Kakisa is a progressive, independent mining community we can be proud of. People recognize that the community can become more self-sustaining much more easily than a city. Leaders have expressed an interest in alternative energy in the central heating system and are...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the Housing Corporation, just in the short time I’ve been here, are just trying to set up some signposts in terms of a quick evolution. I think last fall we heard it quite clear, the overwhelming concerns about people in terms of trying to aspire at the end of the day to maintain a living in communities and, at the same time, become homeowners in their own home community. As a result, it was an ongoing effort in terms of trying to remedy the rental system to make it fairly equitable so people in communities found it at least doable at the community level, and...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think the exercise on this budget is, the intention in the end of this process is to create a very conducive climate to ensure that we have a very invigorating economy, so that we create opportunities for that, at the pan-territorial level, at the same time right down to the community level. We’re trying to create a very good climate so economic development and investment could happen and so people at the local level have opportunities and take advantage of them.

One of the things that I’ve always emphasized is that in order for us to reach that point, this government...

Madam Speaker, is there a position at the GNWT in terms of ensuring that there is a balance between conservation and also economic initiatives? Does the GNWT have a policy on that? Mahsi.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. As you all know, the Protected Areas Strategy initiative is a collaborative effort from two levels of government, including the federal government and the GNWT, also along with NGOs, First Nations, and it has been an initiative that has been fairly successful throughout the Northwest Territories. It makes the effort to identify special ecological cultural futures of community initiatives and to try and set aside those lands for protection. Can the Minister give an update of the various PAS initiatives...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the point is that in terms of energy and in terms of what’s been proposed in terms of the public consultation in terms of looking at the Power Corporation, I can’t help but sense the plight of consumers and their concern because of the increased costs of energy that we provide to our communities. I think as a responsible government we need to ensure that we create options for our consumers. I think the initiatives in terms of some of the alternative energy programs that this government has undertaken is good and I think it’s a good step. There’s nothing really...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations respects and appreciates Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts’ work to implement and improve access to information and protection of privacy in the Northwest Territories. The committee looks forward to real progress in this field over the course of the 17th Assembly.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] In the Northwest Territories we are all living in the Northwest Territories. This is what I’m going to be talking about. A lot of people are living in small habitats and these are some of the things I’m going to be talking about. In regard to Hay River Reserve, I’m going to be talking about these issues. Hay River is… [Translation ends]

…300 people. It is a beautiful community, especially at this time of year when the trees are so green. Dene traditions are strong and there’s great interest on anything that impacts traditional lifestyles, such as the proposed...

Just for clarification, what is the term life of a forest management agreement?

Thank you, Madam Chair. In respect to the budget for this year, we’re setting the stage for the next four years. I’d also like to take the time to commend the department in terms of leading the charge, so to speak, in terms of the development of a Water Stewardship Strategy. I think that’s a very big plus. I think more than anything I would expect, through the association and support with First Nations, a very unique template in terms of water monitoring, water legislation, ensuring we always have access to fresh water. At the same time, it’s standardized so that it is publicly safe to consume...