Shane Thompson

Under the Mackenzie Bison Management Plan, the community can harvest up to 1 percent of the population for cultural, ceremonial, and safety concerns through a permit issued by ENR. ENR has received a request from the First Nations and the Metis Council for a permit to harvest four and two bison, respectively. We are working with Indigenous governments right now to see how we can help them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, it is an honour for me to stand in the House and speak about the passing of a well-known man from the community of Fort Liard.

Harold Paul Bertrand was born on October 11, 1968, in Fort Liard, to his parents, Francois and Pauline Bertrand. Harold was the third youngest of the family. He passed away on September 24, 2019, with his loving family around him.

Harold was known as a DJ back in his young days. He would get the old community hall just rocking with his music selection. It was funny watching him play music, then get himself on the dance floor, and, before...

I haven't been briefed on that depth of it right yet, but I am willing to work with the Member. We will set up a briefing with him with the department so he can get that information moving forward, the same as if committee wishes to have further information.

I think Minister Simpson talked about it: it is trying to work together. We are willing to do as many technical briefings as we can to engage the other side and the public to make sure we are informed and we make wise decisions. I will make that offer to the Member to set up a meeting.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mackenzie Bison Management Plan was finalized in 2018 to provide guidance on the management of the herd. The plan was developed collaboratively by the Mackenzie Bison Working Group, which included representatives from GNWT, Indigenous governments, and other key stakeholders.

In regards to community of Fort Providence, I have similar issues in Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte. Bison are known to come into the communities of Fort Providence and cause conflict in the community along the highway. ENR works collaboratively with the communities to respond to bison in a number of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Rule 89(2) requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning:

Mr. Ronald Bonnetrouge, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Rocky Simpson, the Member for Hay River South;

Mrs. Lesa Semmler, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake,

Mr. Jackson Lafferty, the Member for Monfwi;

Mr. Jackie...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, I will move the following motion: now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the following Members be appointed to Standing Committee of Priorities and Planning:

Mr. Ronald Bonnetrouge, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. Kevin O'Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Rocky Simpson, the Member for Hay River South;

Ms. Lesa Semmler, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mr. Jackson Lafferty, the Member for Monfwi;

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput;

M...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When I've been talking to the residents in both those communities, they talked about the opportunity to maybe increase the number of tags for outside the region, not just the community. Has the department looked at that potential opportunity?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my questions are for the Minister of ENR. Mr. Speaker, in the Nahendeh riding, in particular Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte, we've had some issues with the buffalo. The community has reached out and asked: what are we doing there? Can the Minister please provide us an update on what plans they have to help mitigate the problems that these animals are causing? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This will be the last I'll ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement this session.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all the legislative staff and the Executive Branch staff. You were so helpful and supportive. They were very important as we did our work, and they helped give us good direction.

To friends and family, thank you for your support throughout these four years. I know I've missed some important life events, but you are very understanding of this.

Finally, I'd like to thank Ms. Grace. I know I'm not supposed to thank her, but I'm going...