Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, generally the process is one where we will write letters to the community leaders advising them of the application for a permit. There may or may not be an actual physical visit to the community and a participation in a meeting, depending on the circumstances. We do go into the communities to go over the information we have on the timber supply analysis. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I too have a concern, especially with the way we are managing our forests. I feel there are certain obligations already in place. Maybe it is spelled out in different types of legislation, especially when you talk about forest products.

There has to be more emphasis placed with the harvesters on the effects of logging and what not on aboriginal harvesters, especially when you are talking about people's trapping and hunting occupations, where it will have an effect on them down the road, but without consultation with the local renewable resource councils or HTAs.

Knowing there will be an impact, regardless of whether it is minute or large, there has to be that consultation. I think this government has to do that. I would like to ask the Minister how they are consulting with the affected harvesters, especially in the area of the Hunters' and Trappers Association?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, all our officers go to every community on a fairly regular basis. As well, as I mentioned earlier, we do work on forest management plans with the land claim groups, for example, or with the communities where there is not a land claim. It is our view that the most workable system is to have a forest management plan that all of the parties agree to and that will be our main focus in terms of trying to get consensus on harvesting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Is there a process where a group can appeal a decision to the department if they do not like the outcome of a decision? They oppose it based on, say for instance it is an area that is sensitive because there are calving areas for species such as moose. Is there an appeal process for communities or organizations to follow if their timeframe is up?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, under the current Forest Management Act, there is certainly opportunity for all affected communities, or communities that harvest in that area, to express their concerns. There is no formal mechanism now for an appeal.

Under the Act, we have one of our assistant deputy ministers identified as the forest management supervisor, so it could be taken to his level. He could take the matter into consideration. As I said before, it is important we have forest management plans so our people know ahead of time what the concerns may be. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the Minister if there is a review process in regard to the forest transfer that took place between the federal government and this government. Is there a certain amount of time where there will be an in-depth review to see if the transfer has followed whatever guidelines or the agreement was when it took place? Is there going to be a review of the forest management area, just like the wildlife review?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, there has not been a review and there is no provision in the transfer agreement for a review to be done. The transfer was made for the federal government to the territorial government, and it is really up to us to manage it on behalf of the people as best we can.

There has not been a review of forest management as such. There certainly has been a number of reviews as a forest fire fighting component of it. However, the other side, we have not done a formal review on. I think the suggestion to have a review is a worthwhile one that the department can undertake if it has time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Krutko.

The reason I say that is because for First Nations people, they use forest products. A lot of people feel they do not have to be paying stumpage fees if they are cutting logs for their own homes. If they are cutting wood that they are going to use for construction of cabins and what not, wood that they are using for traditional purposes. Yet the government tries to tell them they have to have a licence and they cannot cut these trees.

However, under treaty rights and also under land claim agreements, they have the right to harvest trees at no cost. Because there is that misunderstanding or people overreacting when they are trying to enforce it, they do not really realize that cultural history of the Northwest Territories where you have these different treaties, Treaty 8, Treaty 11, you have the different land claim agreements. You have the different political processes. I feel there has to be more done or something done to ensure that dialogue takes place. You only deal with the forest fire aspect of it. You also have to look at forestry as a renewable resource aspect for First Nations people who depend on it for their livelihoods.

I would like to know how far you are willing to go on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Handley.

For any use to be considered to be traditional, then there is no stumpage fee paid. People will get a timber harvesting permit that is free of cost. Certainly that applies to fire wood and so on for their own use.

The only time we would have a requirement for stumpage to be paid is if someone wanted to create a timber harvesting operation that harvested a considerable amount of timber on a commercial basis. Then, there would be a stumpage fee paid. There would also be a reforestation fee paid. That goes beyond traditional use.

Having said that, we do want to work within the spirit and intent of the land claim agreements. If there is an issue, we would be happy to deal with the land claim body on it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Mr. Krutko.

I am not too clear on this transfer. Is there a different policy in regard to the forest management of the forest and the fire? I see there are two policies, one for the forest fire management policy. I am just wondering what is in place for the forest? What rules and regulations do the people that harvest the trees have to fall under?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Handley.

Mr. Chairman, there is a Forest Management Act which provides the legal basis for any forest management activity. We have a policy covering the forest fire fighting responsibilities of the department. One is an Act, the other is a policy. Thank you.