This is page numbers 793 - 819 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 7th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was services.

Topics

Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

But in the OPPLAN review for cuts we had to make some decisions and we made those. We tried to cut in as fair and equitable a way as possible. What I would say to the honourable Member is I understand there is going to be a meeting very soon of all the zones in the west, in an effort to determine an appropriate arrangement for a western tourist association. Should an appropriate accommodation be made with the different groups, I have stated to them, and I'll state again today, that we would be prepared, in consultation with the department, to transfer marketing dollars that are currently in the hands of the civil servants in the department into the hands of those associations.

I know there's no money right now for financing the zones with the zone budget allocations but there may be, subject to a satisfactory arrangement being made both in the east and west with the tourist associations, a possibility of additional marketing dollars being there that we would be prepared to transfer over to a representative group of associations both in the western Arctic and in the Nunavut area. Thank you.

Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell the House if he would make commitments on behalf of the zone associations to take advantage of any type of federal government tourism marketing funding that I mentioned earlier in my statement? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know we are looking at how we can lever additional federal dollars and federal dollar programs. We are currently having discussions with Mr. Irwin, in terms of a replacement for the EDA, which gets sunsetted in April 1, 1996. We have certainly been pursuing an alternative to that because we know it is going very aggressively. So I would say that we are going to make whatever effort we can to find new sources of funds outside of the current base funding that is provided to the territorial government and my department, as it relates to tourism.

I would stress again that if we can reach a satisfactory arrangement, with both east and west, in terms of the development of a tourist industry association, that clearly reflects the concerns of both those areas, we would be prepared to transfer existing dollars that we have in the department for marketing into those zones to assist them in making sure that the marketing is reflective of their needs and contributing to some of their administrative costs. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are associations out there. The one I am familiar with is the Nahanni Ram Tourism Association. They are taking the initiative to become self-sufficient in developing a market in their area. Could the Minister secure additional funding for these associations that are taking these initiatives to be self-sufficient? Could he try to assist them in developing strategic plans for achieving their eventual financial independence? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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John Todd Keewatin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I already said I am extremely pleased that we now have an association in Mr. Antoine's riding that is more reflective of the population and should be more reflective of the industry. I would be prepared to instruct the department to sit down with the Nahanni Ram Association and see if there is some way, over and above what we are currently doing, we can assist them. From my own personal visit there two years ago, at the invitation of the Member, it is an area we should let the rest of Canada know about.

Further Return To Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Question 396-12(7): Funding Increase For Tourism In Deh Cho
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, my question would be directed to the Minister of Renewable Resources. It is regarding the upcoming negotiations between Canada and the United States to amend the Migratory Birds Convention. As I mentioned in my statement, my constituents have some concern with the present Canadian position. In order for these concerns to be addressed, Mr. Speaker, we must have some means to participate and provide our input, with the understanding that the Department of Renewable Resources represented the interest of the Northwest Territories residents in the consultation to amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Convention Act. I would like to ask the Minister, is the Department of Renewable Resources involved in the process to negotiate the amendments to the Migratory Birds Convention Act by soliciting input from territorial residents and presenting the views to the Canadian negotiating team?

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that the department has been involved in discussions along with the federal government. In consulting with the US government, we've had some officials who have made presentations to various organizations in the United States. I also know that the Department of Renewable Resources has involved such organizations as the Wildlife Management Advisory Council which was formed under the Inuvialuit settlement agreement, and I also understand that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board will also become actively involved in the discussions on the Migratory Birds Convention Act. As far as I know, the department will be involving all other aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories in trying to get an understanding of what the aboriginal groups would like to see in this act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

I and my constituents were not aware of the department's role in this particular matter. Given that my information is that the negotiation is set to begin in less than three weeks, when did the department expect to consult with the aboriginal people affected by these negotiations? I understand, Mr. Speaker, that there was some sort of consultation earlier on in the process. The Minister mentioned the Inuvialuit management board of something. I'm wondering if they're going to continue to consult other aboriginal groups that will be affected by these negotiations. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has made every effort to try to represent the views of aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories but by the agreement that the Inuvialuit have had with the federal government, the Inuvialuit have been very actively involved with the migratory bird discussions. I also believe that the department makes every effort to try to consult with all aboriginal groups across the Northwest Territories on any issues that will involve aboriginal people. Definitely all aboriginal groups in all regions of the Northwest Territories will be consulted and should have been consulted in the discussions on the Migratory Birds Convention. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Mr. Speaker, I'm not quite sure as to what the role of the department is in this respect but could I ask the Minister to advise me whether or not the department of Renewable Resources or this government has a representative on the Canadian negotiating team or if his staff had any direct contact or involvement with representatives of the Canadian negotiating team in an official capacity or otherwise? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Further Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the role of the Department of Renewable Resources is to represent views held by aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents of the Northwest Territories. I believe I had indicated that earlier. The department officials have attended meetings of renewable resource boards, as well as workshops and meetings organized by the Canadian Wildlife Service, to get an understanding of territorial concerns. Now I also understand that there are some issues that have been raised by the Canadian Wildlife Service that have been helpful, or the input that they have received from the Northwest Territories has been quite helpful in their discussions. However, that has been the

department's role in representing territorial residents on the Migratory Birds Convention. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm wasting a lot of my supplementaries as the Minister didn't quite respond to my previous supplementary; and I hate to repeat myself in an extra supplementary. So, if I could kindly ask, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister would respond to my previous supplementary where I asked if our government or the Department of Renewable Resources had a representative on the Canadian negotiating team, or if the staff of the department had direct contact or involvement with the representative of the Canadian negotiating team in official capacity or otherwise? As the Minister did not answer my previous supplementary, could I kindly ask the Minister to answer my previous supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 806

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Supplementary To Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Question 397-12(7): Consultation Re Amendments To Migratory Birds Convention
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know that the Department of Renewable Resources from the Northwest Territories is a part of the negotiating team. But I know that the Department of Renewable Resources has been in workshops and meetings organized by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, to the specific question on whether the Department of Renewable Resources is actively involved in the negotiations, I would have to take that as notice. I had indicated that the Canadian wildlife service had arranged or organized meetings and workshops that the Department of Renewable Resources had been involved in. I don't know whether I am answering the question, but that is as much as I know, Mr. Speaker.