The end result or the end goal of a Hydro Strategy would be to, first of all, lessen our reliance on fossil fuel in the territory. It would also provide some economic activity across the territory, reduce greenhouse gas emissions tremendously and it’s a much more environmentally sound energy source. That would be the end goal of a Hydro Strategy, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you. The question I had earlier with the Minister on the NWT Hydro Strategy was on gathering the baseline data required to look at future hydro potential in areas and sites. I wanted to ask the Minister one specific question. For example, the baseline data for fish on the Bear River, have they figured out the types of impact if you put a dam on the Bear River what will the impact be on fish there? I certainly like my fish on the other end of the river here and a lot of people have their fish nets there. I want to know what they have figured out on the impacts of fish.

Obviously, protecting the environment is first and foremost, but the work that the Member talks about would be included in the work that the group at NT Energy Corporation will

be carrying out. That’s where that type of work will be taking place.

I want to ask the Minister, when they look at the hydro, especially in our area, in our land claim we have a clause in there that states the alteration of the quality and quantity of our water system is not to be severely impacted by that. I guess that’s a tricky question. If we are proposing and we want to have it on the Bear River, how do we work with that clause in our agreement that we will not see a change in the quality or the quantity of the water levels and source of the water? I guess that’s where the Minister talked about working with the Aboriginal governments to see how we can work this issue through so that we can get good power, cheap power, and reliable, clean energy power in our communities.

I thank the Member for that question. It just reinforces what we’re trying to do here is very complex. In the situation in the Sahtu we need to find a suitable fix for the Bear River. Yes, we have to respect the language in the land claim, certainly a solution there. Again, I mentioned earlier meeting with the new chief and the president of the land corporation. There are solutions out there; we just haven’t found the right one. Perhaps this new one they’ve brought to our attention is something, I know they’re excited about it, maybe that’s going to be the remedy there and the way forward. We will continue to work, and work with the community and the people in the Sahtu to develop that resource.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya. I have Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to follow up on a question. This department is the lead on energy planning and policy development. I know with respect to the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, the old one, the Minister of ITI was the chair of that committee. That was a good fit. I understand now that the Premier has retained the ministerial mandate for new energy initiatives and yet this department is doing all the planning. I’m wondering how the mechanics of that works and how do those coordinate. Who is the chair of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee on Climate Change? Is it the ITI Minister or our lead Minister on new energy initiatives? Where do the divisions of authority fall?

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, in the last government the Minister of ITI did serve as the chair. In this government the Premier will serve as the chair of the MECC in his role as Minister responsible for new energy initiatives. The Minister of Transportation will also sit on the committee as infrastructure is affected by climate change. The Department of ITI energy planning

division will continue to provide support to the committee and coordinate government-wide energy initiatives. That’s the way that we have it set up. All Ministers that are involved in MECC are working to help coordinate our efforts government wide and I believe we will be doing just that.

Just again for clarity, does the Minister propose new energy initiatives to committee or to the Ministerial Energy and Climate Change Coordinating Committee?

The MECC is a committee of Cabinet so those would first be proposed there, as is the way business is conducted here, would filter through the committee system that we have set up here.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Bromley. Page 12-21, Industry, Tourism and Investment, activity summary, energy, operations expenditure summary, $1.619 million.

Thank you. Page 12-22 and page 12-23, Industry, Tourism and Investment, activity summary, energy, grants and contributions, contributions, $1 million. Mr. Yakeleya.

Just for clarification, Mr. Chairman, the regional hydro renewable energy solutions funding related to ongoing work, is funding ongoing work with the Aboriginal organizations? He has $100,000 here. Is that going to be divvied up between the Tlicho, Sahtu and Akaitcho? Is that correct?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That funding will be going to projects in those three areas. It hasn’t been resourced yet. We’re not sure how that will be broken down yet, but it will go to the three that are cited there.

When I heard earlier your deputy minister say that $100,000 going for, that was making reference to the Bear River, now I see a little further Tlicho and Akaitcho. I guess I’m just wondering here how it’s going to be divvied up or how they’re going to administer it. I hope all three regions will have an opportunity to use this money for that year. Is it scheduled for that year? Not two regions are left out or one region is left out for whatever reason. I just want to make my comments and concerns known to the Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mostly a note to the Minister. Page 12-22 and page 12-23, Industry, Tourism and Investment, activity summary, energy, grants and contributions, contributions, $1 million.

Thank you. Page 12-24, Industry, Tourism and Investment, information item, energy, active positions.

Thank you. Page 12-27, Industry, Tourism and Investment, activity summary, tourism and parks, operations expenditure summary, $11.172 million. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I heard on the radio and I also heard here in the House about the Aboriginal tourism strategy and the council that you formed and what you’ve asked this Aboriginal tourism strategy to do. I want to ask the Minister through the life of this government is this tourism council now set for the next three or four years.