Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to press the Premier and his Cabinet colleagues to make this a top priority, as I think they are well aware of, in terms of the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway and how many people down the Mackenzie Valley will be very appreciative of this support here. Can the Premier tell me, if we build a Mackenzie Valley Highway, what would the revenue be to be paid to open up the Mackenzie Valley for resource development exploration and extraction?

Can the Premier tell me in terms of how this proposal was discussed amongst his colleagues in terms of this proposal that’s continually worthwhile or another avenue that we could look at?

Mr. Gabe Kochon was chosen as senior trapper in the Sahtu region. Gabe Kochon is one solid trapper. I want to ask the Minister, with regard to trapping for seniors, are there some programs dedicated to seniors like Gabe Kochon to continue that way of life?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are with regard to the outstanding trappers we have in the Sahtu and ITI’s program. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Robert Kochon of Colville Lake had the highest sales in trapping and also the highest pelts in trapping. What is this Minister of ITI doing in terms of supporting our way of life in the Sahtu, especially with trappers like Mr. Kochon? What are the programs he has to support this way of life?

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister consider having a working partnership with the Sahtu people so that if these land rovers ever do decide to come back to the Northwest Territories, they would be stopped there and not to go any further on this CANOL Heritage Trail?

Mr. Speaker, the issue of the land rovers coming in from B.C., these six land rovers that came very close to some very sensitive areas in the Sahtu along the Heritage Trail. These vehicles tear up the muskeg road. I want to ask the Minister in terms of him working with the Minister of Transportation in terms of some restrictions on this piece of road here. As you know, Mactung Mine, close to the border, has filed for some application to start up their project here. It will become very busy. The Yukon government has put thousands of dollars into upgrading the North CANOL Road. I want to ask the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to reviewing the recommendations with the rest of the Members of this House here and Cabinet colleagues. Can the Minister tell us as to when these recommendations can come to the knowledge of the public in terms of this review of this specific issue on reducing the cost of living in our small communities?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for some of the highlights of what his department is doing. I am also asking about some of the other businesses such as the Northern Store, the Co-op or some of the other industries that have goods and services, because of the high cost of running their stores on these diesel power plants in my region, where the costs are fairly high in terms of being in the region. Mr. Speaker, I will ask the Minister if there is anything his department is doing to reduce the costs in these communities.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize and send my congratulations to Mr. Glen Guthrie of the Sahtu.

Mr. Guthrie was awarded the Lloyd Cook Award for his commitment to further educate the public on wildlife management.

Mr. Speaker, this award is a national recognition with the Fur Industry of Canada, and we offer our heartfelt thanks to Glen for his hard work with people, especially with the youth. Mahsi cho.

Mr. Speaker, last month we had six land rovers come up from B.C. Now, no matter what, people are going to start coming in. With notice of Mactung opening up, there is going to be more industry coming up and taking more interest. I would ask the Minister if he would look at types of enforcement or having this jurisdiction of road be improved. I would ask the Minister if he would be willing to look at some type of legislation or policy in terms of having some restrictions on people going to be using this road more in the future. Would the Minister look at types of regulations or legislation in...