Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee would like to consider Committee Report 17-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

So, Mr. Speaker, I guess my question is simple, then. Has the department or is the department looking at any potential changes to the quarry permitting process, or is it the same now as it was last year and will be the same again next year? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change following up on my Member's statement over potential changes to the quarry permitting.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain why the GNWT is considering additional consultation requirements for quarry permits when land and water boards already have consultation as part of the permitting process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to express concern over potential changes to the quarry permitting process in the Northwest Territories. As it stands, land and water boards established under the land claim agreements already conduct thorough screenings and consultation when reviewing land use permits and project determinations. This system has worked effectively, Mr. Speaker, for years, ensuring proper oversight while allowing projects to proceed in a timely manner.

Now, Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is considering adding an additional consultation requirement at the quarry permit strange...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I was a Member of this committee as well. I will be supporting the motion. Again, I'm not going to reiterate what all my colleagues have already said. I'm shocked that we're spending this much time on it given the, you know, the other fish that we have to fry in this building. Again, the opportunity to do it has already been there as my colleagues have said. I support the motion, and I'm hoping that we can move forward and have a vote. And, again, as Member from Frame Lake said if it gets deferred back, we'll take it back to committee (audio).

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Minister. And, yes, I appreciate that. And the Minister, I will say, has always been willing to work with me in the Beaufort Delta when I do have concerns around this.

Just one follow-up question that may be a yes or no answer, then; I wasn't sure if it was answering the last one, Mr. Speaker. Are there any proposed changes to the quarry permitting process being potentially looked at by the government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. So from what I understand from quarry permit holders in my region, they are being asked for additional consultation. I understand what the Minister is saying. So I guess if there is a duplication, has the GNWT considered entering into a protocol agreement with the land and water boards to avoid any duplication of consultation efforts while ensuring that their duty to consult is met? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize and, more importantly, thank Sheila Nasogaluak, my constituency assistant from Inuvik. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that. I'm glad to hear that. Again, my only concern, and my question would be, that it's great that we have penalties in there but if no one is watching, what's the incentive for a company to follow through? So my concern is, again, that not only are we saying it but that we're doing it and that we're following up early on in the contract to ensure that these businesses that say they're going to use local businesses but, maybe for cost saving measures, get halfway through the contract and say I'm going to flip that and buy that product in the south...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. And, yes, I was aware in 2023 certainly the BIP had had some changes. I attended the workshop in Inuvik when they implemented -- they were talking about implementing goes. So I guess my question is who was watching? And previously, Mr. Speaker, people would fill out the BIP application but how are we now, I guess, being a little more robust in monitoring that and ensuring that those businesses that fill out that form are actually following through on the commitments they make to northern businesses in that form. Thank you.