Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Mr. Minister.
Debates of May 16th, 1996
Topics
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 432
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
It is true the department has always recognized the importance of polar bears and the importance of polar bears to Inuit communities. We have worked very hard over the last few years to try to get an adequate research database in order to ensure that quotas and the way we manage that particular wildlife species is done in a way that ensures the healthy growth and presence of those animals. In the areas of Clyde River and Baffin Island, some years ago there was a serious question about the ability of the polar bear population to sustain itself should further hunts be allowed. So the quotas were removed and we provided compensation to those communities to diminish the hardship to the hunters and the people who depended on the harvesting of polar bears. This is still in place up until June of this year. Following that, there will be a review of the present status of polar bear populations in those areas, with a view that we can now go back to allowing a quota of polar bears to be hunted this year.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central
(Translation) Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to ask another question. Some of the communities in Nunavut do sport hunting. We have to be very careful how the polar bears are managed by the government. We are close to Greenland and we hear that they are allowed to hunt polar bears. I wonder if this has been studied or if there has been research done; that there won't be problems arising from Nunavut or Greenland. Thank you.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, the Government of Greenland and ourselves are moving towards working closer together on the study, research and the management of the polar bear population in the Arctic. We hope to have some agreements in place some time soon with the Government of Greenland, for instance, that will govern each of us on how we allow for sport hunting and community harvests.
There is work being done to find ways to make agreements with Greenland on those two areas; the research and the management, and the sustainable use of them. Thank you.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Madam Chair. As I said in my statement today, a very complicated situation is arising in my constituency. There may be a possible conflict between Parks Canada's plans to consider a new national park on north Bathurst Island and Cominco's strong expression of interest in that same island. The issue involves Renewable Resources, in particular, the Perry Caribou; Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources because the future of major territorial mines is involved; and Economic Development and Tourism because of the economic importance of the mines to the region and even the territorial economy as a whole.
I find it most interesting, Madam Chair, that the new Minister of the future Department of Sustainable Development is being asked by me to comment on an issue which involves exactly what I understand sustainable development is proposed to be. I believe that our land is like a bank which contains the rich deposit of the renewable resources on which we depend. If we looked at our finances this way, then whatever decisions are taken, development must ensure that the rich, never-ending resource on which the aboriginal culture depends for its expression, survival and enhancement is not tampered with.
This goes almost without saying; however, Madam Chair, we almost must realize that in the current financial climate in the NWT and Canada, mines which operate on our lands also make an important contribution to the quality of life in our communities. They provide employment opportunities, transportation, communication and other facilities. They pay taxes to the territorial treasury. Frankly, I would be concerned if I learned the mines in Nanisivik or Little Cornwallis Island -- both of which exist in my constituency - were to be shut down, especially if it was due to lack of ore. I know that we are blessed with rich mineral resources in the Northwest Territories and on Baffin Island. I believe there are probably a lot of unexplored mineral deposits in our region. We should make sure that if we are to make decisions on these important development issues, we are given all the facts.
I also believe that it is particularly important that the views of the residents of those communities should be the advice which is listened to first by the governments. My constituents have the biggest interest in making sure that the land remains unspoiled. These are the lands and waters on which they depend for their traditional livelihood and way of life. They can be trusted to make the right decisions. Is the Minister aware of these issues?
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Madam Chair, I am aware of the issues. There is a sense that the mines operating within the constituency of Mr. Barnabas need new sources of ore in order to continue operating. The areas identified by the mining companies that are potential new sources of these minerals are apparently in the calving grounds of the caribou herd. So I think what needs to be said is that we can assure the Member that 1, as Minister, along with the government, will make the commitment and take the time to make sure we make well-informed, balanced decisions.
We will do it keeping in mind that it is the people in his constituency who have the greatest interest, both in maintaining and protecting the wildlife and the environment, but also in the mining activity as well. Thank you.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 433
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Madam Chair. I also have some information on the sequence of events which have occurred between 1992 and the present. As I understand it, the whole question of land withdrawal came to a head on January 5, 1996. This is an important issue, as I see it. It will affect whether or not Cominco will be allowed to explore anywhere on north Bathurst Island, an area which appears to
have promising mineral potential. Apparently, the representatives from three departments of the Government of Canada and the representatives of the Government of the Northwest Territories met to discuss this issue along with representatives of BRIA in the community of Resolute Bay. My question is: What is the approximate contribution of the Polaris Mine on Little Cornwallis Island to the economy of the NWT, including tax revenue and the value of their annual production; and do you have the same figures for the Nanisivik Mine on Strathcona Sound?
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Madam Chair. We can get that information for the Member, perhaps from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Minister of Finance.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Madam Chair, my next question is: Is it true that the GNWT did not take a position on the question of land withdrawal and, if so, why would our government not have made recommendations of any kind?
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
McLeod
The situation that the Member describes is one that the government has faced in a number of situations. We also had the situation in Anwar. We also had the situation with regard to Darnley Bay near Paulatuk. It's a policy decision that we're in the process of dealing with. We've convened workshops involving wildlife management boards and received input from the different management boards. We have developed the draft policy with regard to dealing with calving grounds, and we expect to have a policy for our government in the near future.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Levi Barnabas High Arctic
Thank you, Madam Chair. Would the Minister agree that perhaps a review should be undertaken to determine the most appropriate role the GNWT should take on these development issues?
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434
Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu
Thank you, Madam Chair. On issues like this, normally, the Cabinet would be involved in bringing together the different elements, interests and concerns that arise as a result of proposed development and are advised by the respective departments as to the impact, implications and consequences of proposed developments and processes that can be accessed to address the different issues and concerns that arise. So, that would be what I expect will come as a result of this issue.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 434