I would like to thank my colleagues. We have two recommendations on this report. I have Recommendation one.

I move that this committee recommend that the Minister proceed with the proposed elimination of the Denendeh Conservation Board.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions is also of the opinion that the Legislative Assembly should be advised of the Minister's progress in carrying out the proposed plan to eliminate the Denendeh Conservation Board. I have recommendation two.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Koe.

Mr. Chairman, that concludes the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions report on this issue. I wish to thank all my colleagues for preparing the report and helping me present it. I would like to thank the Minister and his staff for the information they have assisted us with. Mahsi.

Thank you. Is this committee agreed that Committee Report 8-12(3) is concluded?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. What does this committee wish to do now? Mr. Dent.

Is this committee agreed that we deal with Bill 15?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Bill 15, An Act To Amend The Wildlife Act

Thank you. I wonder if the Minister has any opening remarks. Mr. Allooloo.

Introductory Remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This bill is a straightforward amendment to the Wildlife Act to remove the requirement for reindeer reserve caribou licenses within the portion of the reindeer grazing reserve which is within the Inuvialuit settlement region. The portion of the reindeer grazing reserve and the requirement for reindeer reserve caribou licenses within the Gwich'in settlement area portion of the reserve remain unaffected. The passage of this bill, Mr. Chairman, will enable the development of regulations in consultation with the Inuvialuit to govern caribou hunting within the reindeer reserve that is within the Inuvialuit settlement region. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I wonder if the chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation has any opening remarks? Mr. Arngna'naaq

Standing Committee On Legislation Comments

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Legislation met to review Bill 15, an Act to Amend The Wildlife Act, on December 8, 1992. The committee thanks the Minister of Renewable Resources and his officials from the Department of Renewable Resources and from the Department of Justice for presenting this bill and responding to the questions of the Members.

Bill 15, will amend the Wildlife Act to change the current restrictions on hunting caribou within the federal reindeer reserve. The reindeer reserve includes an area of land that is within the Inuvialuit settlement region under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and an area of land that is within the Gwich'in settlement area under the Gwich'in Land Claim Agreement. Currently, caribou hunting in the entire reserve is restricted. This bill would prevent caribou hunting within the Gwich'in settlement area except under certain conditions:

-Persons would be entitled to hunt caribou in the region within the Gwich'in settlement area if they hold a Reindeer Reserve caribou licence or if they are enrolled as a participant under the Gwich'in Agreement or are eligible to be enrolled;

-Caribou hunting in the remainder of the reindeer reserve, including the area within the Inuvialuit settlement region, would not restricted by legislation.

Members were generally supportive of this bill but expressed concerns about the constitutionality of sections of the existing Wildlife Act. Members of the committee encouraged the department to review the Wildlife Act in light of recent court decisions which have commented on the ability of Legislatures, in general, to restrict aboriginal hunting rights. Those are my comments on this bill. I invite committee Members to make additional comments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. I wonder if the Minister would like to invite his officials in? Does this committee wish to go clause by clause? Mr. Zoe.