Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Villeneuve on October 25, 2004, regarding hunting practices and charges. I am pleased to provide the following responses.
1. How many infractions have taken place since the Akaitcho incident in 2002 involving a DIAND official?
The department has investigated 66 incidents of wastage in the Northwest Territories since 2002. The incidents of wastage occurred in the following administrative regions: eight in the North Slave, 23 in the South Slave, three in the Deh Cho, eight in the Sahtu, and 24 in Inuvik.
2. Of all the infractions, how many have resulted in official charges being laid or fines imposed?
The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has laid charges for 13 incidents of wastage in the Northwest Territories since the Akaitcho incident in 2002. RWED was successful in obtaining convictions for all 13 incidents. There were no convictions or warnings given in the Sahtu region.
The convictions of wastage occurred in the following administrative regions: three convictions and one warning in the North Slave, eight convictions in the South Slave, one conviction in the Deh Cho, and one conviction in Inuvik.
3. What changes in the new Wildlife Act will help to alleviate or deter this type of practice in the Northwest Territories?
The introduction and passage of a proposed new Wildlife Act is still pending. During public consultation, people indicated that they would like wastage defined better and that penalties for wastage should be higher.
Under the new Wildlife Act, wastage could be more specifically defined. In addition, fines could be increased to act as more of a deterrent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.