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.