Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This coming weekend the Sahtu will be rocking and rolling, shaking and baking. This weekend the Sahtu, along with other regions such as the Tlicho, South Slave, Deh Cho, Akaitcho, even as far as Sachs Harbour are starting to learn and participate in traditional hand games. The Sahtu is holding a $60,000 men’s hand games tournament. There are people from Alberta, Yukon and the Northwest Territories making their way through the Mackenzie Valley winter road to go to Deline.

Last year in the Sahtu, Deline held this event and it was a success. There were many people who came...

The Minister is very accurate in regard to the potential in the Sahtu and the Canol Trail play of the exploration of talking to people who have worked or are working in those areas, the oil companies, the Minister himself has talked to some pretty well-informed people who are looking at the Canol Trail play, and I think we started to realize that the potential that he’s saying.

My point is that I appreciate it on behalf of the Sahtu for the readiness session, because that was very timely. That talks about leadership from the department, we look forward to those types of discussions and more...

The Government of the Northwest Territories has been called upon to develop a policy on hydraulic fracking that recognizes the pros and cons of this technology. We must move forward on this important work to guide responsible decision-making in the future. The people of the Northwest Territories and the people of the Sahtu deserve nothing less. Thank you.

[Microphone turned off.]

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’m happy to see the Minister making some strong efforts in taking care of the opportunities that are in the Sahtu region and the development of some of the business opportunities that could take some presence in regard to the, oil and gas Canol shale play in the Sahtu region.

The Minister is looking at some partnerships within ITI and there are many types of partnerships. I look forward to seeing where there are some various levels of different types of partnerships. We have partnerships with oil and gas, partnerships with the community, with Aboriginal businesses, with...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The vault is slowly opening up so that the needs of the Sahtu can be met.

I want to ask the Minister about hydraulic fracturing. What is the Minister doing with the National Energy Board, federal government and this government to give the people a very clear-cut educational opportunity to know about this technology that would help the industry or harm our environment? What is the Minister doing to make sure the people know what hydraulic fracturing is all about?

What is the Government of the Northwest Territories doing to address the capacity needs in the communities in connection with the exploration activities?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’d like to also recognize the National Energy Board team, specifically Mr. Brian Chambers – I’ve also done some work with him – and also Chairman Caron.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Shale oil resources promised to secure our energy future and has the potential to change the North forever as the Northwest Territories grapples with the applications for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracking required to tap in to these resources.

We have to weigh the pros and the cons of this technology. The basic drilling and fracturing process has a long history in the oil and gas industry. Experienced drillers and engineers can’t predict a well’s requirements and impacts. Technology is constantly improving. Industry has demonstrated an improvement in using...