Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. It's in regard to a notice that was posted by this government in regard to the Dempster Highway one-way closure that was set from September 25th to October 2nd. It basically says that the closure will apply to the Northwest Territories, which is an eight kilometre strip from the Peel River to the Yukon border. Mr. Speaker, one thing that's been kind of shocking this year is that apparently the Yukon government didn't pass this similar regulation to have a similar closure on the Yukon side and we, as the Northwest Territories government, are the only ones who have done that. Mr. Speaker, because the land claim agreements and the wildlife provisions haven't been changed, in the land claim agreement it's clear that the Gwich'in have the right to harvest with any means, can harvest for the purpose and use of equipment to carry out that harvest. Mr. Speaker, that's section 12.4(14) of the Gwich'in agreement. Yet this government continues to pass regulations and restrict hunting rights of the Gwich'in people, especially on the Dempster Highway and from the community of Fort McPherson. This year, very few people were able to get any caribou, and then on top of that there was this one-way closure. I'd like to ask the Minister, would you hold off on signing any more regulations until the wildlife amendments have been concluded and it's brought back to this House and the First Nation claimant groups have the ability to implement those sections of their agreements in territorial legislation?
David Krutko on Question 432-14(6): Gwich'in Wildlife Harvesting Rights
In the Legislative Assembly on October 10th, 2003. See this statement in context.
Question 432-14(6): Gwich'in Wildlife Harvesting Rights
Item 6: Oral Questions
October 9th, 2003
Page 1415
See context to find out what was said next.