Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Developing a fair recreational land leasing policy is challenging and of considerable interest to our public. The Minister of Lands is holding public meetings to gather public input, and I have heard that from constituents who attended the meetings in Yellowknife last week. They report their experience was positive, with 35 to 50 people attending each. The World Café format seemed constructive, with facilitators at five different tables guiding participants through five different questions. Thanks to the Minister for holding these meetings. I look forward to hearing the results from these and the gatherings held in other communities.

Topics of apparent concern overlapped with ones I have raised in the House before. Constituents felt the rules and regulations focus needs to be on enforcement, that rules mean nothing unless they are rigorously enforced. This concern is reflected in the proliferation of illegal squatters on public lands. No surprise given the department’s ongoing refusal to fully enforce the law.

Another concern was the selective focus for the current moratorium on recreational leasing restricted as it is to the highways leading into Yellowknife. This left Yellowknife Bay, which is being colonized at yet further loss to the Commons. With no restriction in this area, no recreational land use plan and no opportunity for public input on applications, leases are still being granted and the Commons eroded.

Many constituents felt that it was important to extend the moratorium on recreational leases to this area and to even consider a blanket moratorium on all NWT lands with respect to recreational leases until a proper publicly vetted recreational leasing management plan is in place.

Constituents felt there was consensus at the meetings that any recreational land management plan needs to be transparent and fair. Squatters everywhere must be dealt with justly, with zero tolerance moving forward. A ballot draw system was the preferred method for lease allocation, with special rules for First Nations and a need to protect ecologically sensitive areas. The Commons must be protected for use by many. People do not want popular sites developed into recreational leases at the expense of public access. They want a real opportunity for public input into what areas should be left undeveloped.

Many of these points have been raised in the past with no acceptance from the Minister, but I’m pleased that the Minister is doing his consultation. Will he hear the voices raised and ensure the policy reflects their concerns? The answer to this question will indicate whether we have a sustainable, fair and transparent recreational lands policy or not. Mahsi.