Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for his reply in terms of his interest in terms of the Guardians program and seeing it at least maybe having a glimpse of hope of seeing it realized in the Northwest Territories.

My final question: would the Minister commit to monitoring this issue and also write a letter of support and discuss it with other departments and Aboriginal organizations, how we might implement the Guardians program in the NWT? Mahsi.

Yesterday, the Minister had stated in the House about the Deh Cho parks and its advances and its scope is for recreational and economic purposes, so I am trying to scope within my questions at least the possibility of trying to advance territorial parks so that communities could be involved with it. Therefore, I am asking those questions.

My second question is to the Minister of  again, I don't think he answered my first question, but my second question: has the Department of ITI considered implementing the Guardians program in the Northwest Territories?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, a non-profit organization, has asked the federal government for $500 million over five years for a new nationwide monitoring program.

Mr. Speaker, the proposed National Guardians Program would send around 1,600 First Nations people out on their traditional lands to keep an eye on visitors, protect sensitive environmental and cultural areas, and help in case of emergencies.

Mr. Speaker, the former Premier of the NWT, Stephen Kakfwi, described it as an ambassadorial program, keeping people's eyes and ears on what's happening...

I did ask two questions. I wanted to ensure that  the first question wasn't answered. The second part of the question that I asked was clearly not answered, too. My third question, again to the Minister: what would be required to launch the Guardians program as a pilot project in the Deh Cho?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Yesterday, I spoke of the territorial parks and the increase in visitor numbers to all of our parks in the NWT. Communities are interested in building upon that opportunity. Is the Minister aware of the Guardians program I discussed in my Member's statement earlier today and the Indigenous Leadership Initiative request for federal funding? Mahsi.

I think the increase of visitors to the park is a great opportunity for this government, plus communities, as well. My question to the Minister is: how are Deh Cho communities involved in the development of parks and tourism in the region?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Recently, it was stated that there is an increase of visitors to the territorial parks all over the NWT. Now, those are great parks that we have, and we have six of them in my riding, so my question is: has ITI considered the possible links between territorial recreational parks and conservation areas? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would to thank my honourable colleagues for speaking before me on this very important matter. I want to take this time to offer my thoughts on the 201718 budget. As you know, my riding of the Deh Cho is made up of mostly small communities. I hope with my remarks today to represent the concerns of the people who live in my riding.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that the budget should be about vision and leadership first, fiscal prudence second. It is very clear that our House is divided on the matter of fiscal priorities. On one hand, the Minister of Finance and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is reassuring that there is a commitment in terms of working with communities. My final question is: how are Deh Cho parks tied into Aboriginal tourism initiatives in the NWT? Mahsi.

I think the territorial parks are great opportunities. I think we do not too bad of a job maintaining them. They are something that communities look forward to every year in terms of maintaining and, of course, having visitors, as well, but sometimes we get our backs against the wall. We could do discussion and then we have walls, and we have to overcome those walls. I think the Minister just alluded to that, perhaps. Hopefully, it doesn't happen, that possibility. What are we doing to maintain an ongoing dialogue between ENR and ITI on the development of parks?