Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am here today to present the 2019-2020 Main Estimates for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Overall, the department's estimates propose a decrease of $1.329 million, or 1.5 percent, compared to the 2018-2019 Main Estimates.
Highlights of the proposed estimates for the department include the following:
- new forced-growth funding of $381,000, which includes a term position to meet the government's commitments related to the environmental assessment of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway; and
- new initiative funding of $540,000, which includes resources to implement the 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework.
These estimates continue to support the priorities and mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories by:
- improving coordination and effectiveness in resources management systems, recognizing traditional knowledge, land claim agreements, and devolution;
- mitigating and adapting to climate change in collaboration with other governments, businesses, and non-government organizations;
- continuing action on conservation planning, which includes finalizing and implementing existing Candidate Protected Areas and using made-in-the-North approaches to new protected areas, such as Thaidene Nene, Ramparts, and Dinaga Wek'ehodi;
- the department also continues to work with the federal government and co-management partners to develop a new and ambitious suite of tools to research, monitor, and manage range planning in support of conservation of barren-ground and boreal caribou in the NWT;
- ENR continues to conduct and support environmental monitoring and research in the NWT to ensure informed decision-making in resource management and improve our understanding of cumulative impacts on our ecosystems;
- continuing to work with partners to identify opportunities for country food programming, fur harvesting, and traditional knowledge promotion as part of our commitment to promoting initiatives that foster and support sustainable on-the-land livelihoods for residents of the NWT; and
- development of the Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan, including the implementation of trans-boundary agreements with Alberta and British Columbia, Yukon, and negotiations towards establishing an agreement with Saskatchewan.
That concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair. Thank you.