Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The current Wildlife Act is out of date and certainly in need of an overhaul. The government has made a commitment though, Mr. Chairman, to develop a new Wildlife Act and to have this legislation finalized during this session of this Legislative Assembly, the 14th Legislative Assembly. I am very encouraged by what I have been told by Mr. Handley on this approach and with the timetable that he has committed to. There is a comprehensive public review underway and it is touching base with all stakeholders throughout the Northwest Territories. Meetings and workshops have been held in most communities, including Yellowknife, to draft a new Wildlife Act.
I certainly support the need for updating this legislation. Since the time that Bill 12 was first introduced, I have had an opportunity to check up on the government's approach to this and to review the updated information package that RWED has put into place. Based on this new information, I am satisfied that the concepts embodied in the bill before us now are being considered by the department and the advisory group. As a matter of fact, it has a number of options in the document called "Drafting a New Wildlife Act" on resident hunting licenses.
I am satisfied that the consultation is broad and that it is thorough. If this review was not going to be forthcoming in this Assembly, I might feel differently, but I am confident that it will be coming forward. It is important, in my opinion, that all stakeholders reach consensus on this. We know that in the Territory, we work on that basis on this issue, as well as other issues. The process established by RWED and the advisory group is the appropriate and coordinated way to do it. We must allow the department and the advisory group to be able to finish their work and for this government to bring forward a new Wildlife Act, Mr. Chairman.
I feel that the appropriate process is to follow the work being done by the department and by this government to incorporate any changes. I specifically feel that way at this point because of the time frame that seems to be achievable for us now. Thank you.