Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you, colleagues.

-- especially for inspiring our small communities to participate. Mr. Speaker, our community of Fort McPherson raised a total of $11,649.95.

Thank you. Please join me in congratulating the community of Fort McPherson on a job well done. Masi Cho.

Members’ statements. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. O'Reilly on February 22, 2016, regarding Bathurst Caribou Management. The Government of the Northwest Territories, or GNWT, acknowledges the hardships experienced by communities who are unable to partake in caribou harvesting activities and is working very hard in collaboration with partners to put actions, plans and processes in place to support the recovery of the herd on a number of fronts.

Restricting harvest is not the only management action that is being taken to address the status of the Bathurst herd nor is it one that is applied lightly; however, in terms of relative impact on the herd it is one of the key management levers we have to reduce impacts on the herd.

Developing approaches to habitat protection is a long-term endeavor necessitating the engagement of many parties. Environment and Natural Resources, or ENR, has been involved in a few initiatives to advance habitat protection and to protect caribou from disturbance during sensitive time periods. One is the involvement in the Nunavut Land Use planning process. ENR is a registered participant in the Nunavut Planning Commission, or NPC, process for developing a Nunavut Land Use Plan.

The GNWT has put forward the position that industrial activity of any type, including mineral exploration and production, construction of roads, pipelines and other infrastructure, should not be permitted in the calving areas. NPC is attempting to build consensus on approaches for habitat and disturbance management through a combination of tools such as conservation areas, as well as seasonal and locational restrictions on development activities.

Another initiative to protect habitat is range planning. ENR, with the support from the Departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Lands, is working towards the development of a range plan for the Bathurst caribou herd. This plan is being undertaken by a working group of 21 partners including the Tlicho Government, Wek’eezhii Renewable Resources Board, other Aboriginal organizations, industry and environmental non-governmental organizations.

The Range Plan will be a guidance document for use by wildlife management authorities, including the government, in making recommendations on habitat management issues such as conservation areas, acceptable levels of disturbance on the range and seasonal or mobile caribou conservation measures. It is scheduled for completion in March 2018 and will apply across the historic range of the Bathurst herd.

Actions related to individual projects are typically addressed through environmental assessments, the regulatory permitting process and through the development, implementation and review of wildlife management and monitoring plans for proposed and existing developments.

Specifically, ENR remains engaged in a review process of proposed developments within the Bathurst range in the NWT and Nunavut to ensure that possible effects on the Bathurst herd are duly considered and mitigated where possible. For projects in the NWT, ENR is in the process of developing guidelines for industry to support development of Wildlife Management and Monitoring Plans which are now be required for operations that may cause significant disturbance to wildlife or habitat. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Returns to oral question. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Colleagues, I’d like to draw your attention to public in the gallery, more specifically, a former member, Samuel Gargan is here with us. Welcome.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT Seniors Society began as an organization in 1983 when a group of seniors got together and began working with the government to provide services for seniors as well as older adults. Today, the NWT Seniors Society and its advisory council continues to work with all levels of government to keep us apprised of issues of importance to seniors. For the past 18 years, the Advisory Council has worked tirelessly to prevent the abuse of older adults by creating awareness and providing education and information sessions to ensure everyone understands the impact of elders, families and communities.

The NWT Senior Society feels that its advisory council is its greatest asset. So please join me in welcoming these dedicated people in the House today. Leon Peterson, Ann Firth-Jones, Beatrice Campbell, Merlyn Williams, Jenna Graham, Florence Barnaby, Elizabeth Kunnizze, Mavis Klause, Sarah Anderson, Sam Gargan, Carol Robertson, Joyce Williams, Yvonne Quick and I’d also like to welcome Michelle Mulder and Martha MacLennan of the Alzheimer’s Society of the Alberta and Northwest Territories and Stephen Jackson, the CEO of Avens. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome an elder and also an interpreter who is sitting behind me. Ms. Annie Goose from Ulukhaktok, as well up in the gallery my great auntie, constituent and respected elder, Sarah Anderson from Tuktoyaktuk and Elizabeth Kunnizze from Inuvik and the rest of the elders who are here, welcome.

Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Deh Cho.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, me too, I’d like to recognize members of the Northwest Territories Seniors Society. In particular, I’d like to recognize the mayor of Fort Providence, also at the same time, a former MLA, chief speaker, Mr. Sam Gargan. Also, at the same time, another member of the Northwest Territories Seniors Society, Gina Graham, from my constituency of the K’atlodeeche First Nation, who is on the Band Council as well and a constituent of mine too. Masi.

Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Hay River South.

I have quite a few people in the gallery today. Maxime Gauthier, Sheldon Whitlock, Donna Lee and Regan Junkind and Miss Ann Firth, and Myrtle Graham, my CA and also the NWT Seniors Society. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues, I want to recognize the many seniors we have here visiting the House today and thank them for the many contributions that they have made in laying the path that we get to walk on today. As well as thank them for their continued efforts in building the supports for their fellow seniors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize RCMP chief superintendent Ron Smith in the gallery today. He was appointed as the chief superintendent of G-division in 2014 after progressing through multiple northern ranks over the last 20 years. We will be sorry to see him go, but wish him the best as he leaves later for a summer placement in Ottawa, not only for the summer, but ongoing. Sorry. He goes with our gratitude for a job very well done. Thank you. I would also like to recognize Leon Peterson and Beatrice Campbell. Leon is the current president, and Bea Campbell, past president of the NWT Seniors Society.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and recognize the Seniors’ Society, particularly my auntie, Mavis Clause from Fort Resolution. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m proud to say we have a strong Hay River contingent in the gallery today, which is nice. Mr. Sheldon Whitlock, Maxime Gauthier, Ann Firth-Jones, Deputy Mayor Donna Lee Junkind and Regan Junkind and Myrtle Graham. I’m happy to say that most are my constituents. There may be one of Wally’s in there, so --

---laughter

I’ll be out in the lobby during the break and we can chat. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Yvonne Quick, who’s a constituent in the gallery. I can’t quite see her but she’s done a lot of very important work in the development of the tourism industry here in the Northwest Territories. I also want to recognize Sam Gargan. I had the privilege of working with Sam when he was a regular MLA on a private Member’s bill to introduce access to information legislation in the Northwest Territories. Thanks Sam.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to welcome all seniors that are joining us here today, particularly Elizabeth Kunnizze from Inuvik and Gina Graham. I did work with Gina many years ago as a community health rep and we did a lot of really good work together through the Northwest Territories. I’d also like to recognize Mr. Stephen Jackson, who gave me a great tour of Avens not too long ago and I appreciate the work that they are doing.

As well as welcoming and acknowledge Mr. Ron Smith and I know Mr. Wade Blake’s up there as well and appreciate the work that they’re doing. Our Minister gave a great statement on the battle against drugs in the Northwest Territories and in keeping the drugs off the street. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.