Michael Nadli

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my statement, I talked about treaty rights and obligations that are encumbered by the federal government and also the GNWT. My question is to the Minister of the Housing Corporation. Treaties of NWT are by nature bilateral between First Nations and the Government of Canada, and on the south of 60, we have a direct relationship between the federal government and First Nations in their communities in terms of their responsibilities to their citizens. Up here in the North, we have federal transfer payments that are received by the government...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the majority of my constituents are First Nations, signatories to Treaty 8 and 11 with the Government of Canada in 1899 and 1921. In those treaties, promises were made to continue existing unhindered and of cultural pursuits, and with the most treaties, there were certain promises that were made including education, health, and housing just to name a few. Those promises are what we call today fiduciary obligations for program and services for housing. This is a brief historical perspective.

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Our people were nomadic, they...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, thank you. I'd like to thank the deputy for providing an update. I know some communities have done some inventory analysis in terms of the potential for forest products within their territory, and whether the forest fires from the past two years have negated or significantly impacted their inventory in terms of, you know, working with the proponent and the community and whether that's become a factor or not. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been a lot of progress in terms of selfdetermination of First Nations communities, ensuring they have responsibility for their citizens, and housing is one aspect of that. Could the Minister provide an overview to this side of the House in terms of how it's working with First Nations communities that aspire to have selfgovernment agreements with the Government of Canada and what its role is?

I'd like to thank the Minister for saying that, and perhaps, you know, the issue's not as simple as that. For example, in terms of jurisdictions, you know, sometimes because of jurisdictions we get caught up in red tape. Sometimes the fact is that we have to board up homes because of jurisdictional messes between governments and First Nations communities. Recently, there has been steps in terms of trying to sort out the jurisdictions, the red tape, to try to bring housing to citizens that need it, particularly on the Hay River Reserve. Could the Minister update this House in terms of ensuring...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Me too, I’d like to recognize several people in the gallery. The official Languages Commissioner; revitalization board; Jonas Landry, Emma Amundson, they work on the Aboriginal languages; and Violet Jumbo. She’s working on the revitalization program. I’d like to recognize them for the hard work that they’re doing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just maybe my final point or question is what's next in terms of the department working along with the communities and the proponent to ensure that, you know, there's a timeliness and at the same time successful stage in terms of ensuring the reality of the wood pellet plant being in operation? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to get a status report. I know we're on the cusp of enhancing the biomass industry by establishing an industry activity in the South Slave area. I just wanted to see if the Minister could provide us an update in terms of the progress towards establishing a wood pellet plant, in terms of his role in assisting communities to advance that proposed business initiative and how communities have been involved this far. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to ask, when are our wood bison management plans expected to be complete. As I understand the wood bison, their designation meant that they're... I think they've reached a category of being a species at risk or threatened. If we can have an update. Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. If maybe the Minister or his officials could explain what was perhaps the flat line in timber permits and the licences. You know, there seems to be the understanding that through devolution there's a greater responsibility in terms of the appropriation of lands, and especially for forest products, whether that's something that we should expect as a continuum? Maybe next year’s actuals could remain at $5,000 as well? Thank you.