Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Constituents of Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte and Lindberg Landing have had a summer of discontent with the Nahanni bison herd in that area. The bison have been ruining property, digging up gardens, ruining plants and trees and being a significant hazard to the residents. In fact, one resident was literally trapped in her car as a large single male rested against her car door, damaging it and also trapping her inside. She is elderly. Her family and friends fear that she may be injured if this happens again.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources committed to the development and implementation of a bison management plan in the spring of 2013. The strategy suggested two years to prepare a plan specifically for this Nahanni herd. In the short time, it states that the ENR will increase its efforts to keep bison out of the communities, including increasing public education materials. Residents are discontented that there appears to be little effort since then to help them.

Increasing the quota for harvesting is another measure that they were considering. I was advised by a resident of Fort Liard that to the south in northern BC, the Champaign and Aishihik First Nations had similar bison problems. Once again, harvesting the bison near and close to their communities, the bison are smart, and then they were shy to enter these communities and private property areas. So, Nahendeh residents would like the ENR department to seriously consider harvesting near their communities and private property areas, such as Lindburg Landing, for protection.

Nahendeh residents continue to expect more and continued action from the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources to help with this serious bison problem.

I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.