Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mackenzie Bison Management Plan was finalized in 2018 to provide guidance on the management of the herd. The plan was developed collaboratively by the Mackenzie Bison Working Group, which included representatives from GNWT, Indigenous governments, and other key stakeholders.

In regards to community of Fort Providence, I have similar issues in Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte. Bison are known to come into the communities of Fort Providence and cause conflict in the community along the highway. ENR works collaboratively with the communities to respond to bison in a number of ways, taking steps to avoid attracting bison into the community, highway, and airstrip; herding bison out of the community if they come in and are causing injuries; and ultimately removing persistent bison that cannot be herded out of town. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.