Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do have opening comments. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to speak to the 2010-2011 Main Estimates for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The plan proposes total operational expenses of $65.7 million for the

upcoming year. This is an 8 percent increase over last year.

As Members are aware, the mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is to promote and support the sustainable use and development of natural resources and to protect, conserve and enhance the NWT environment for the social and economic benefit of all NWT residents.

A range of activities are proposed to uphold this mandate and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few key investments planned for the coming fiscal year.

Mr. Chair, during 2010-2011, ENR, working in collaboration with federal and aboriginal governments, will spend $821,000 to finalize the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy and develop a plan to implement its actions. In addition, $200,000 will be targeted towards the development of a system for tracking the health of NWT aquatic ecosystems and an extra $115,000 to develop tools aimed at helping NWT communities protect their water supply sources.

The department will also continue working with the Department of Executive on the development of a land use framework. Implementation of the framework will require comprehensive geomatics, management and information support systems to provide access to complete, timely and accurate information. Support will also continue for the NWT Protected Areas Strategy. Combined, these initiatives are budgeted at almost $500,000.

Climate change remains a serious concern for the NWT and we are continuing to take action in this area. As a government, we have committed to an investment of $60 million over four years focussed on energy conservation and alternative energy sources. In 2010-11, ENR will focus its attention in the areas of biomass, solar hot water heating systems and wind energy for a total of $1.5 million.

The GNWT’s Greenhouse Gas Strategy will require renewal in 2011. Work on this initiative will begin in 2010, including consultation with the public, industry and other interested sectors.

This budget adds $100,000 to bring 2010-2011 funding for the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Plan to $350,000. This investment will fund further work on the geophysical permafrost survey so a plan can be developed to help affected communities.

The government will expand and build upon the successes seen in the Waste Reduction and Recovery Programs. During the coming year, the government will not only evaluate the current list of recycling efforts, which include the 25-cent Bag Fee Program, milk containers added to the Beverage Container Program and the second year of the paper and cardboard recycling initiative, but will

also investigate the feasibility of establishing an e-waste recycling program for the NWT.

Mr. Chair, the NWT Species at Risk Act came into force February 1, 2010. This important piece of legislation will help us identify species at risk, protect habitats and put in place processes to help species recover. This legislation was developed through a collaborative drafting process which saw land claim organizations working hand in hand with GNWT staff.

Building on this successful work, the GNWT will now begin implementing the new act and using this collaborative drafting model to help create a much needed and modernized NWT Wildlife Act. These activities will be undertaken through an additional investment of almost $800,000 in 2010-2011.

In response to the continued decline of barren-ground caribou, the GNWT plans to continue its work with neighbouring jurisdictions and land claim groups on acquiring additional survey data on both the Bluenose-East and Ahiak herds. In addition, a calf survival survey will be undertaken on all herds, including the Bathurst, during the coming spring. This work will be undertaken through a continued investment of $500,000 in the coming year.

Mr. Chair, traditional knowledge continues to play an important role in ENR’s mandate. During the coming year, $300,000 will be spent on the Traditional Knowledge Implementation Strategy. This will help us work with our aboriginal partners and further our efforts in incorporating traditional knowledge in our decision-making.

As Members are aware, a large part of the department’s budget is spent on the prevention, detection, monitoring and suppression of wildfires in the Northwest Territories. This work is undertaken through the department’s Forest Fire Management Policy. During 2010-2011, the department will finalize its review of this policy and update the definition of “values at risk.” Mahsi cho.

That concludes my opening comments for the department’s 2010-2011 Main Estimates. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to appear before committee and I would be happy to answer any questions that Members may have.