Thank you. Does the committee agree that Bill 26 is now ready for third reading. Agreed?

Thank you. Bill 26 is now ready for third reading. I thank the Minister and his witnesses. We will move on to Bill 27. Agreed?

Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Wildlife Act. I will invite Minister Kakfwi for his opening comments on the bill.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Wildlife Act. This bill is designed to do a number of things. First and foremost, the bill recognizes the Gwich'in and Sahtu Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements. Secondly, the amendment outlines that the land claim agreements will take precedence over the Wildlife Act if there is a discrepancy between the two. Finally, Mr. Chairman, the amendment will clarify that third parties who are not signatories to the land claim agreements are bound by the harvesting and management provisions in the agreements.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment has been developed in consultation with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board.

I also want to take this opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to advise Members that work has begun on the larger project of revising the entire Wildlife Act. Our focus throughout this project will be on the western NWT as Nunavut is developing its own wildlife legislation. Although the legislation will not be drafted before the year 2000, the department will be distributing a discussion paper shortly after division as the basis for community consultations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I would be glad to answer any questions Members may have.

Thank you, Minister Kakfwi. I invite the Member from the Resource Committee, Mr. Ootes, for the committee's comments on the bill.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development reviewed Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Wildlife Act, on December 5, 1998. The committee would like to thank the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and his officials for presenting the bill.

This bill amends the Wildlife Act to recognize the Gwich'in and Sahtu Dene and Metis Land Claim Agreements and the rights of the Gwich'in and Sahtu beneficiaries within the Act. Due to time constraints and with division fast approaching, a comprehensive amendment to the Wildlife Act is not possible. However, the department has advised the Members that they have begun work on revising the entire Wildlife Act.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment has been developed in consultation with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board.

Bill 27 will recognize the Gwich'in and Sahtu Land Claim Agreements, wildlife harvesting and management provisions. The proposed bill will give the land claim agreements precedence should there by any discrepancy between the agreements and the Wildlife Act. Bill 27 will also clarify that third parties who are not signatories to the land claim agreements are bound by the wildlife harvesting and management provisions of the agreements within the areas of land covered by the agreements.

Mr. Chairman, following the committee's review, a motion was carried to report Bill 27, An Act to Amend the Wildlife Act, to the Assembly as ready for committee of the whole. Additional comments or questions of Members may be posed as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. I invite the Minister, Mr. Kakfwi, if you would like to bring in witnesses. Does the committee agree?

Agreed. Thank you. Please seat the witnesses, Sergeant-at-Arms. I invite the Minister to introduce his witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have on my right, Deputy Minister, Mr. Handley, on my left, legal counsel, Mr. Flynn. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Welcome to the committee. The floor is open for general comments on the bill. Any general comments? Clause by clause?

Agreed. We are ready for clause by clause. Thank you. On page one of Bill 27. Clause 1. Agreed?

Thank you. Clause 2. Agreed?

Thank you. Clause 3, on page 1. Agreed?

Thank you. Clause 4, on page 2. Agreed?

Thank you. Clause 5. Agreed?