Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has been working on a new Northwest Territories Wildlife Act for some time. Departmental representatives have been holding public meetings and open houses in communities around the Northwest Territories. As I understand it, the public consultation period is due to end near the end of this month and the department will then proceed with the drafting of a new Wildlife Act.
Many constituents in Frame Lake are members of the Armed Forces or members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Currently, a person must reside in the Northwest Territories for two years before becoming a resident hunter. I know that many members of the Armed Forces and many members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police seek northern transfers because of the wilderness experience that the northern lifestyles can offer.
It is difficult for members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Forces who are transferred often to sometimes enjoy the full benefit of living in the North because they may only spend one or two years in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, these people provide a vital service to all citizens of the Northwest Territories and Canada. I believe that it is unfair that their duties may take them elsewhere before they become eligible to purchase a hunting license.
I would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that in six Canadian provinces, members of the Armed Forces have no waiting period before qualifying to purchase a resident hunting license. Other jurisdictions in Canada offer members of the Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police waiting periods of only two to six months, with the Yukon standing out as being a year long.
Mr. Speaker, I suggest that the current Northwest Territories residency requirement is punitive for people who are transferred to the Northwest Territories by their employer to work in the service of Northerners.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I have made a submission to the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development urging consideration of special status for members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the new Wildlife Act. I believe the residency requirement should be waived or reduced to a minimal waiting period for members of those forces.
Mr. Speaker, having noted that the consultation period ends shortly, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all of my constituents to take notice of the chance that is offered to them right now to submit a position to the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development and hopefully influence the outcome of what a new Wildlife Act might look like. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.