Minister of Lands, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That area is within the withdrawal area that we’re doing all the work on; therefore, I think we’ve made it quite clear that we’re not taking any applications for any areas within the interim withdrawal. Thank you.

I’m not sure I want to thank the Minister because that was an answer that I didn’t want to hear. However, the moratorium was established for a reason. My understanding is the rationale for the moratorium was it was spurred by many new leases in the areas in the lakes around Yellowknife which have been issued by the federal government and there was an increase in squatters on the lakes. There was a large concern of the people who already had leases on these lakes that the lakes were going to be subject to overuse, and that was what prompted the current moratorium.

My question to the Minister is: What was the rationale for the moratorium that is currently in effect? Thank you.

The rationale for the moratorium was to allow us time to do a proper density study and environmental studies of all the areas within the focus area. We had done some work previous to devolution, but with devolution we had a larger area that came over to the territorial government, so we expanded our time and we expanded the work that we had to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

So, a density study. I take the meaning of the Minister to mean a density study of lakes, because I’m pretty sure that that was the rational for the moratorium.

I’d like to ask the Minister another question with regards to requests for land leases. They certainly can be for different reasons.

I would like to ask the Minister if can he please advise me of all the reasons that the Lands department has had for lease applications. Has it ever been for anything other than a cabin or a fishing and a hunting lease? Thank you.

I’m not sure if the Member is asking during the time the moratorium was in effect. If that is her question, then I would commit to her that I will follow up with the department to see the number of applications we may have had and for what particular reason. I will share it with the Members in this Assembly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister: My question was not about during the moratorium period, but at any time.

What are the reasons that people are asking for leases for land within the moratorium area? My understanding is it is only ever for a cabin or hunting and fishing leases.

So, I’d like to ask the Minister if he could explain to me why he will not recognize, as I mentioned in my statement, that this is a significantly different request for a land lease. This is not a cabin or a hunting and fishing lease.

Why will he not help a motivated, ready-to-go-to-work organization and people get started on their project by approving this lease as an exception to the current moratorium? Thank you.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet with this group and I saw first-hand their commitment and their passion. However, this area is within the focus area and I do not wish to consider making an exception to one group. If I do that, then I may have a number of applications coming forward saying, “You make an exception for one group or organization or person, you can make an exception for me.” What that would do is open the door and that will go against all the work we are trying to do.

So again, I saw their commitment and passion first-hand and I commend them for that, but this is work that we anticipate to have done by mid-2016. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.