This is page numbers 1899 - 1944 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that. I don't think it was additional resources we were looking for. We're just asking if the Minister would consider transferring some of the positions. That way we're not using any additional resources, we'll just use what we already have. Will he look at that?

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've talked about the nature in past questioning of our minerals, oil and gas unit here at headquarters. The reality is that we have three dedicated positions to oil and gas. One is a term position that is being used to help us navigate our way through the NEB intervention and process that's underway and the other two are some that we have. One has been just recently filled, but the fact of the matter is we don't have enough resources, we are spread too thin, we do need some coordination resources here at headquarters, notwithstanding the fact that we obviously need support on the ground in Inuvik. So my approach is going to be to come forward with a strategy to add to our resources, not to further stave off already very limited manpower in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I said that I heard the number of 20 positions before and in my statement I kind of accounted for six of them. Where are the other 14? Are they here in Yellowknife?

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd have to go back and look at my earlier response, but in terms of people that have some aspect of their job related to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline or the Mackenzie gas project, I would think there are at least 20 people. We know we have regional petroleum advisors, one in Inuvik. We have other positions in RWED related to environment or business development that support a pipeline and support resource development. We know we have positions in MACA that work to develop community capacity. They are also being dispatched to help our effort to work on this file. Education has resources, I believe. I know that Housing is working on this file. So you could look at many of the people we have employed in our government and find aspects of their job where there are duties that are currently related to meeting our development pressures. That would go much higher than 20; the dedicated resources I've spoken to in terms of pipeline. The obvious seven positions that we have yet to fill in Hay River would be another contingent of staff that we have. So they are spread out throughout government and I'm certainly prepared to get those specific numbers for the Member and we have started that task and will be providing that information shortly. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1912

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has said that he was looking at his options and he was

going to be preparing a report. Would I be able to get a copy of this report? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I've indicated, it's my intention to come to the Governance and Economic Development committee and, obviously, I think that committee will want to involve all Members in that and I can personally make sure that the Member has a copy of that work as we get there. As I've said, right now I'm hoping almost immediately to go to Cabinet with a conceptual approach and a strategy and as we firm this up in the coming weeks, I'll sit down with the Member personally and we'll certainly go to GED with this work. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Question 579-15(3): Oil And Gas Positions For The Mackenzie Delta
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Zoe.

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I'd like to ask the Minister why are my constituents having difficulty obtaining land leases for Commissioner's land and Crown land in the Tlicho communities. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I was not aware that there was a problem in the Dogrib region regarding land leases. We are, however, having some discussions with the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council along with the Government of Canada and Municipal and Community Affairs and Aboriginal Affairs to discuss and lay out a plan for the transition of land, land administration and how to deal with the elections and a number of other issues. We have an effective date of August 4th to work toward. However, I was not aware that there was a problem. There was an issue that was brought forward from the Member. I believe that was an issue regarding federal land. If there is an issue regarding land and leases, I would certainly like to know about it. Thank you.

Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If that's the case, as the Minister indicated that they are working on a transitional plan in regard to land issues, then my constituents shouldn't be having any problems obtaining Crown land leases in the Tlicho communities or even land reserved for Indians for housing, which is Crown land. So even the Indian Affairs department that deals with land leases should be continuing to use the same process as we have before. Is that the case that the Minister is indicating to me? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

That's right, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there should be no glitch in the system. We are expecting a smooth transition. We would have to talk to the federal government though to see what their position is during this transition period. There may be some reluctance to transfer land over as we are now in this situation where there is a land claim and a self-government settlement. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

March 8th, 2005

Page 1913

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if I could ask the Minister if he could kindly intervene with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in their lands section to make sure that my constituent's land lease can go through, although they may be in a transitional phase. The reason I am saying that, Mr. Speaker, is that we're in critical need of housing in our communities and there are a number of clients that require these leases not only for obtaining housing from the Housing Corporation, but there are some other clients that need their land leases to obtain funding from the banks to do additions to their houses, et cetera, for other programs. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Zoe. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank the Member for bringing this to our attention and we will commit to having a meeting with the federal government and all the players, all the stakeholders involved on this issue. We certainly don't want to see a blockage of properties moving forward. There is a need for housing development, as the Member has stated. So we will work towards ensuring that this is as smooth a transition as possible. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Zoe.

Supplementary To Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Question 580-15(3): Land Leases On Tlicho Lands
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1913

Henry Zoe

Henry Zoe North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister how soon can I have word back from his office pertaining to this issue? Thank you.