Agreed.

Next department is Renewable Resources. Mr. Allooloo, if you could make your introductory remarks with regard to the department?

Introductory Remarks, Renewable Resources

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The management programs of the Department of Renewable Resources are well respected in other countries. I believe there are two reasons for this.

The first reason is that the health of our resources and environment is very important to residents of the Northwest Territories. Especially in smaller communities, most of our food comes from what we can hunt, trap or fish. The northern climate limits the food crops that can be grown, so we depend on what the land can provide us. I am constantly reminded that my most important job is to ensure that resources can meet the needs of our people.

The second reason for our reputation as good managers is that we have put a great deal of effort into involving residents in resource management. We have done this by listening to what northerners want, and involved them in decisions on the resources they use.

Our co-management agreements are being recognized by neighbours. The most recent notice has come from the government of Greenland, which now wishes to work with our government to co-manage the polar bears of Baffin Bay.

Before we discuss the 1992-93 budget of the Department of Renewable Resources, I would like to describe our progress in responding to the desires of our people to manage and increase benefits from our fish, forests and wildlife.

Fishing is an activity that has been part of our cultures for thousands of years. In recent years, residents have expressed their interest in developing these resources. Departmental staff often work with communities to conduct test fisheries for commercial ventures. Since I became a Member of the Atlantic Council of Fisheries Ministers, northern interests in inshore and offshore fisheries have been recognized.

The Baffin fishery, which began in 1987, has expanded to generate over $3 million annually. In 1992, northern companies received quotas for shrimp, turbot, silver hake, mackerel and scallops, as well as access to southern stocks of mackerel and silver hake. I will continue to work to develop the Baffin, and other fisheries for the benefit of our people.

The harvest of furs has long been a part of the lifestyles of our people. I am told by many people that they want to continue to benefit from trapping. In recent years, activities of anti-trapping groups have affected the fur industry. The Department of Renewable Resources has been active in countering these threats. Now as the Northwest Territories' share of the Canadian fur harvest is increasing, the department is looking at ways to improve its support programs for trappers and the fur industry.

A fur strategy for the Northwest Territories is being developed. It is intended to increase benefits for residents and maintain fur bearing populations. The strategy will cover all aspects of the fur industry from teaching new humane trapping methods, to processing, and marketing furs. A steering committee had been formed, and is composed of representatives from all regions. The strategy will be provided to Members of this Assembly for comment before any program changes are implemented.

I believe that residents must play a role in taking care of local resources. By ensuring benefits go to residents, the department gains their cooperation for this task.

One example is the wood bison of the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. In 1963, eighteen wood bison were transplanted to the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. The people of Fort Providence and Rae-Edzo were asked not to hunt these animals. Now the population has increased to about 2,000 bison.

Five years ago, a management plan was developed in consultation with residents. Quotas were established, and the bison have become a source of income, and food, for the people of Fort Providence and Rae-Edzo. The department is working to increase benefits through the development of an outfitting operation.

However, there is a dark cloud hanging over the healthy wood bison in the Sanctuary. That is, the potential for contact with the diseased bison in Wood Buffalo National Park. Since the 1990 environmental assessment report, the department has been a member of the Northern Buffalo Management Board, which is developing an implementation plan to replace the diseased bison with healthy ones.

Keeping diseased bison separate from the healthy wood bison is planned to be one component of the federally funded implementation plan. While waiting for the plan, the department received additional funds for two years, to maintain a bison free zone between the park and the healthy bison in the Providence and Liard area.

However, due to delay in completing the plan, I have now written to my federal counterparts to request financial assistance to keep these animals healthy. I am very concerned over this potential threat, and I am doing what is possible to keep the wood bison healthy.

Through the new Cooperative Forestry Agreement, the department is working with the communities in the western Arctic to improve forest management. Fort Liard residents are actively developing a forest management plan which will suit the needs of the community. The plan will cover managing the forest for wood supply, wildlife, trapping, recreation and forest pests, such as the spruce budworm.

Western Arctic residents have also become more involved in forest fire management. Communities now advise the department of important areas that required protection from forest fires and areas where prescribed burning may be beneficial. Through this information and discussions with community leaders, better decisions on how, and whether, to fight fires are being made.

This summer, 285 fires were reported, slightly less than normal. Approximately six million dollars have been spent fighting 241 fires.

The department has always worked hard to maintain its contact with territorial residents. As our budgets, lifestyles and needs change, it becomes even more important to know what people want. The Department of Renewable Resources is always interested in hearing of new ways to involve residents in resource management. I would welcome your comments, Mr. Chairman, and any questions.

If I am allowed, Mr. Chairman, at some point in time in this committee, I would like to bring in some witnesses.

Thank you. Is it the wish of the committee that we invite witnesses?

Agreed.

Thank you. Mr. Sergeant-at-Arms, would you escort the witnesses in, please? Thank you. Mr. Minister, would you introduce your witness please?

Renewable Resources

Mr. Chairman, to my left is my Deputy Minister, Mr. Joe Handley. Our Director of Finance is on his way, and he will be here shortly. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any general comments? Mr. Zoe. I should not say any general comments, I should say is there a report from the Standing Committee on Finance? Mr. Zoe.

Comments From The Standing Committee On Finance

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Just prior to proceeding, Mr. Zoe, if I could ask the Minister to introduce the other witness that has just arrived?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my right is Mr. Rick Feil, who is the Director of Finance.

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Koe. Sorry, before we proceed, motion is in order, first issue. Secondly, to the motion. Mr. Zoe.

Thank you. To the motion. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Chairman, can we ask questions related to the motion?

It is normally the practice of the House to allow questioning with regard to a motion. You may speak to the motion, and if there are issues, the mover has an opportunity to speak. Thank you. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A couple of issues -- one, that I hope the word "local" communities, consultation with "local" communities, includes the organizations that are designated by land claim agreements. These land claim agreements that I am familiar with have specific clauses, and specific chapters, that relate to Renewable Resources and have what we call designated organizations. So in passing this motion, I hope that it is clear that local communities include these designated organizations, and also include hunters' and trappers' organizations, or associations in each community.

My other comment is that when the department is taking a more proactive approach, I understand that there have been some negotiations with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to assume some of the responsibilities and I hope, taking into consideration comments made by other Members in this House, that when we take on these federal responsibilities that all due care is taken in the negotiations process. So we do get our fair share and, hopefully, more than our fair share of the fiscal dollars and cents that go with these responsibilities. Those are the two comments that I would like to make.

Thank you. To the motion. Are there any other comments? Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to point out, in respect to aboriginal land claims, these claims are protected by the Constitution, which is normally stronger than ordinary legislation. So these agreements will be adhered to when they are finalized. Thank you.

Are there any other comments? To the motion.

Question.

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

---Carried

General comments on the report of the Standing Committee on Finance. Mr. Zoe.