Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is kind of just coming off from my chest here. Today is your very special day, and I greatly appreciate that you are here today with us to make sure we keep the Legislative Assembly running. I would like to ask our Members here to all get up and wish you a very happy birthday and maybe sing you the song. No singing? No singing, okay. No singing, but anyway, we wish you very much a very happy birthday, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nolan Swartzentruber arrived in Iqaluit in 1974, assuming assigned duties as a classroom teacher at Nakasuk Elementary School followed by tenure as vice principal at the said school. Beginning in 1978, he served as the principal in Nuiyak school in Sanikiluaq, immersing and enjoying the lifestyle of the small traditional community, fishing for cod in Hudson Bay, watching the community boat arrive on the beach after a successful walrus hunt; observing the landing of the planes on the ice in 1978 with a herd of 60 reindeer on board, replacing a vanished caribou to be...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. COVID-19 has affected us all and the pandemic has highlighted why meeting these mandate commitments are so important. As global supply chains have been disrupted and economic activity has been restricted, the need for locally sourced food has become even more valuable. Northern harvesters and trappers have been deeply impacted by COVID-19. Their economic livelihoods have been affected, which is an important part of northern culture. That is why now, more than ever, we need to support harvesting and land-based programs.

Mr. Speaker, I stood here during the last sitting...

Thank you very much. If they're in good standing, we have set out a process. That information has been sent out to the individuals explaining the process as we move forward. The time frame, we are hoping to have it done as quickly as possible, but for more clarity, with your permission, I will ask the deputy minister to provide more information. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Okay. We've withdrawn the land subsurface rights as per their request. Basically, once the land use plan is completed, then the land will be basically transferred as part of the land use plan. We're not doing it in six months for the Member because I know the Member's trying to get things done in six months, but we're working with their committee. We, as this government, has shown good faith. Usually, you do a land withdrawal for a short period of time. We've done the withdrawal permanently until the land use plan is completed. We are working with the Deh Cho First Nation and the committee. We...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. For that detail, I'll turn to Mr. Chapman. Thank you.

For that detail, I'll turn to the Deputy Minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. For 20 years, I probably can't give you that answer. What I can tell you right now is that we've appointed our government person on there. The committee's excited, and they basically said within the next two years, supposedly, that we are going to have the land use plan up and running. We are working on that. If I've misspoken, I will actually, with your permission, turn to the deputy minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

For that detail, I'll turn the floor to the assistant deputy minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. For that detail, I will turn to the deputy minister. Thank you, Mr. Chair.