Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has already presented its report on its review of Bill 6, Species at Risk (NWT) Act. Bill 6, Species at Risk (NWT) Act, sets out the process to identify, protect and recover species at risk in the NWT. The proposed act will apply to any wild animal, plant or other species managed by the Government of the Northwest Territories. It will apply everywhere in the Northwest Territories on both public and private lands, including private lands owned under a land claim agreement. During the public hearings, the committee heard from many Northerners, including representatives from the Fort Providence management boards, the Metis Nation, the Chamber of Mines, Peterson Point Lake Lodge, the Salt River First Nation, the Tlicho Government, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, general members of the public and many other aboriginal governments and organizations. These presentations were thoughtful and reflected the desire of Northerners to be included in the processes and not left out of decision-making. You have already heard in the committee’s report about how the Members considered issues and about the various recommendations made. The committee was pleased to see that both the department and the Minister were open to changes. The committee was also pleased to learn about the collaborative process with aboriginal governments which was used to develop this piece of legislation. I was pleased to be a part of this important activity, the development of our own NWT species at risk legislation and to now consider it for approval during Committee of the Whole. I also want to thank all the members of the committee who travelled and worked hard for two weeks of public hearings, especially the alternate member, our chairman, the Member from Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy, to whom our committee owes a great deal of thanks. His willingness to travel so extensively with us and work so hard was admirable, and we are very grateful for his input. Also, thanks are in order to our committee staff, Ms. Cate Sills, who has gone on to greener pastures with the Minister of ENR. We wish Ms.

Sills all the best with her new endeavours. And also to our committee clerk, Ms. Jennifer Knowlan, who did travel with us as well. And finally, we know that the implementation of this law will be a challenge and look forward to continuing involvement of the standing committee in these activities. Thank you Mr. Chairman.