Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present the 2011-12 main estimates for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The plan proposes total operational expenses of almost $67.5 million for the upcoming year, an increase of 2.6 percent.

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 our environment for the social and economic benefit of all residents.

A range of activities is 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 2011-12, ENR, working in collaboration with our partners, proposes to spend $1.5 million to implement the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy. This includes continued community and Aboriginal Steering Committee engagement on the implementation of actions to conserve and protect our waters as well as support

for the negotiations of transboundary water agreements with neighbouring jurisdictions and the implementation of the Canada-wide Strategy for Municipal Wastewater Effluent.

As a government we have committed to conserve energy through the use of alternative energy technologies. ENR’s commitment to the Energy Investment Plan in 2011-12 includes the Business Support Program and the support for geothermal technology.

The Business Support Program is one of the commitments of the electricity review to assist NWT businesses in implementing projects that would reduce their power, transportation and heating costs.

ENR will provide the Arctic Energy Alliance with $350,000 in funding to develop, pilot, implement and monitor strategies aimed at barriers preventing businesses from using efficient and renewable energy practices to reduce both costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The department will build on analysis done last year on the potential use of deep geothermal heat energy to generate electricity and community/residual district heating. During 2011-12, ENR will invest $400,000 to work with interested communities to further define the potential on a local scale. In particular, ENR will work with the Acho Dene Koe in Fort Liard to develop a detailed feasibility analysis of a geothermal plant, which could meet the electricity needs of the community.

Mr. Chair, another major initiative the department is proposing for 2011-12 is the implementation, if approved, of a new Wildlife Act to protect, conserve and manage wildlife in the Northwest Territories. Activities needed to implement the new legislation include officer training, development of new forms, permits, hunter education, public awareness programs, as well as harvest studies and reporting systems. The department’s main estimates include $500,000 for these activities.

A new five-year Barren-ground Caribou Management Strategy will guide actions related to caribou management. ENR proposes to invest $1 million during 2011-12 to implement the strategy and build capacity for community involvement, work with all partners to develop a caribou management plan for the herds in the North Slave, increase patrols to ensure compliance with management actions and continue a public education program and materials to promote hunting excellence.

Establishing protected areas with northern tools is a priority of this government as part of the Protected Areas Strategy. During 2011-12, we propose to invest $427,000 for this key tool for environmental stewardship. The funding will be used to establish and support critical wildlife areas working groups, to

consult with Aboriginal governments and to develop and implement monitoring programs.

As Members are aware, a large part of the department’s budget is spent on prevention, detection, monitoring and suppression of wildfires in the Northwest Territories. During 2011-12, the department will table the final report on the Forest Fire Management Program review. This report and its recommendations will be reviewed with standing committee and, together, decisions will be made in how best to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of this program.

Mr. Chair, this concludes my opening comments for the department’s 2011-12 main estimates. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to appear before committee and would be happy to address any questions Members may have. Thank you.