This is page numbers 6291 – 6330 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was public.

Topics

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to follow up on my statement regarding the moose ticks in the NWT. My question is to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Recently on record, the NWT experienced major impacts on the woodland caribou in terms of their population decline. At the same time, we experienced a major impact on the Mackenzie wood bison population in terms of the anthrax outbreak. Now we’re seeing, perhaps, the vestiges of a warming climate where it’s getting warmer in the NWT.

Has the GNWT identified a risk to the NWT moose from ticks or other insect infestations? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We routinely monitor moose populations and we look at a general health insect infestation, and the one tick that we were paying close attention to see hopefully that doesn’t migrate north, of course, is a tick that causes lyme disease. At this point, we don’t believe that particular black legged tick is in the North.

In terms of other ones, we rely on the moose surveys and feedback from hunters. Thank you.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

I’d like to thank the Minister for providing that response. In parts of Manitoba they’ve placed restrictions in terms of harvesting of moose.

What pre-emptive measures will the department take to protect the NWT from future tick infestations? Mahsi.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Our first strategy, of course, would be to identify if there is a particular tick infestation and the magnitude that would warrant such type of intervention as we’ve demonstrated with the barren land caribou. We’ve tracked things very closely and we will intercede when we think it’s warranted. We also have other legislation, the Species at Risk Act, if we think there are challenges in terms of actually affecting their survival of the species. So we’re going to monitor it, but at this point I have seen nothing that would indicate that we have an infestation of that magnitude. Thank you.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

The Minister is on record saying that the only real way to get rid of the ticks would be to put a flea collar on the moose.

How would the department identify and treat affected moose that are impacted by ticks? Mahsi.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I’d have to see that quote that has been attributed to me about putting flea collars on moose. I have no recollection of saying something of that nature.

However, be that as it may, the concern that the Member raised is, are we going to work together with communities and hunters and the users of the land and ENR to make sure that we keep an eye, and if there is a tick infestation that we identify that. We take the steps necessary to see that we remediate the situation to the best of our abilities. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Nadli.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, in the southern NWT, the Deh Cho location, we’re situated very close to Alberta and there have been records in terms of deer coming up to the NWT, and cougar sightings as well.

Will the department undertake, perhaps, some work with local harvesters and, at the same time, prepare and maybe work on a moose population survey and whether that’s been planned for sometime this fall? Mahsi.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

We are at work with other jurisdictions mapping the spread of the black legged tick that usually inhabits deer as it moves around. At this point we don’t think it has moved north, but yes, we are monitoring that, the same as we were keeping our eye on the pine beetle to see if that was going to come north into the boreal forests north of 60. We will, as well, continue to do rotating moose surveys in various jurisdictions to keep track of the herd numbers and health of the moose. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement, I have questions for the Minister of ITI and their current plan of how to revitalize the NWT fishery and maybe the construction of the fish plant in Hay River. I know that they’ve invested in capital money, but I know we’re looking for federal money.

Can I ask the Minister where we currently sit in negotiations with the federal government to invest in the Hay River fishery? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government has been very good supporters of economic development here through the CanNor office here in Yellowknife and across the North. We continue to discuss, with the federal government, an opportunity to invest in a commercial fishery on Great Slave Lake, and we do need about $5.5 million to put in an export grade

fish plant in Hay River. We have earmarked $1.5 million. We’re going to need some partners. We have to continue to put the question on the table to the feds. I had the opportunity last year to meet with Minister Shea in Ottawa. We’ve invited her to the Northwest Territories. We want the federal government and the Ministers to be able to realize what a resource the commercial fishery is in Hay River. Of course, this is an election year, so it’s important that that question about the revitalization of the commercial fishery on Great Slave Lake is front and centre in election campaigns this fall. Thank you.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

The Minister indicated he had a meeting previously with the federal Minister.

Can the Minister indicate to me when the next planned meeting or FPT on this type of situation would be coming up? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

I will be back in Ottawa next week, and of course this is an issue that is important to the Member, it’s important for our territory. We have to continue to focus our efforts on the revitalization of this fishery. We are going to try to attract more fishers. We also have a vision for what we want to see with the commercial fishery on Great Slave Lake, and I want to thank the Member and his counterpart, Mrs. Groenewegen, for their help and support in us trying to get where we need to go. Thank you.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

In the department’s plan that I heard last week, they talked about the price of fish and trying to bring that up.

Is the Minister aware of what the department is looking to do in increasing the price of the fish for the fishermen in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Our South Slave regional office is currently reviewing our subsidy program. Of course, they are going to continue to engage with the Fishermen’s Federation. Now that we have developed a business plan with the Fishermen’s Federation, we will have to bring that plan and the fishery into the 21st century by dramatically

changing all the fundamentals that have been in place for well over four decades. This plan proposes new ownership, new responsibilities, new markets, a new commitment and, finally, the plan will bring along a new, long overdue vision, as I mentioned earlier, that will support the fishery for the years ahead of us. I want to thank the Member for his questions.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bouchard.

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure the Minister has been briefed about the meeting. At that meeting the fishers asked for the subsidy. The department indicated the price is going to go up. The current fishers are asking for

that price to be actually subsidized to that level right now so they can see how the industry will react to that type of price currently.

Is the Minister willing to commit to looking at that type of subsidy to increase the price for fishers on the Great Slave Lake? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

As I mentioned earlier, we are currently engaged with the Fishermen’s Federation. We are reviewing the subsidy program that we have in place. This really is, or would be, a short-term or band-aid solution. The real effort has to be into the long-term vision of the fishery on Great Slave Lake. But if there is a way we can continue to work with the Fishermen’s Federation in Hay River and the subsidy program, we want to ensure we are providing the supports we need to ensure we can get where we need to go, and that is have a vibrant commercial fishery industry on Great Slave Lake. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Daryl Dolynny

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In this House on May 28, 2015, Minister Miltenberger explained to us that we had a clear example of why NTPC should be bidding in an open, transparent and fair RFP Hay River process. He further explained that Fort Smith and Fort Resolution are paying 21 cents per kilowatt hour compared to 31 cents for the town of Hay River. Now Public Utilities Board, PUB, documents confirm this and indicate Hay River has been overcharged by 30 percent for its power by NTPC for a very long time.

Can the Minister responsible for NTPC please explain why his riding is charged less for power by NTPC? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stand here dressed in purple with my nice flower on and it’s a special day for seniors, I was expecting a few softballs from the Member, but apparently no consideration will be given to the fact that I’m a poor senior too.

With regard to his question, the rates are set by the PUB. Thank you.