Debates of Aug. 13th, 2019

This is page numbers 5945 - 5992 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd 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

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Minister Absent from the House

Income Security Programs Update

Environmental Monitoring and Research Projects Funded

Improving Programs for Inmates in NWT Correctional Facilities

Diversifying the NWT's Economy

Grizzly Bears in Aklavik

Disruptions to Digital Connectivity

Relationship between Kakisa and the Government of the Northwest Territories

Yellowknives Dene First Nation and City of Yellowknife Land Transfer

Premiers' Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau regarding Bill C-68 and Bill C-48

Access to Education in Communities

Status of Services for Seniors In Yellowknife

Prevention of Alcohol Bootlegging

Highway Infrastructure Projects

Salmon in the Arctic

Committee Report 25-18(3): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Review of Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Resources Act and Bill 37: An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act

Motion to Receive Committee Report 25-18(3) and Move into Committee of the Whole

Committee Report 26-18(3): Report on the Review of the Carbon Tax Bills: Bill 42: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act and Bill 43: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act

Motion to Receive Committee Report 26-18(3) and Move into Committee of the Whole

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Effects of Salmon in the Canadian Arctic

Fibre Optic Infrastructure

Grizzly Bears in Aklavik

New Housing Units for Seniors

Letter to Prime Minister Co-signed with Conservative Premiers

Education in the Sahtu Region

Relationship between Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation/Kakisa and the Government of the Northwest Territories

Highway Infrastructure Projects and Application of Business Incentive Policy

Alcohol Sales and Reduction of Bootlegging

Yellowknives Dene First Nation / City of Yellowknife Boundary Changes

Tabled Document 483-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 766-18(3): Aboriginal Sports Circle Funding

Tabled Document 486-18(3): Northern Employee Benefits Services (NEBS) Pension Plan Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018 and including updated information to June 2019 Tabled Document 487-18(3): The Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund Financial Statements for the year ended March 31, 2019

Tabled Document 488-18(3): Community Futures Program 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Annual Reports

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Review of Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Resources Act and Bill 37: An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act - Bills Requiring Federal Concurrence

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act

Recorded Vote

Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act

Recorded Vote

Bill 54: Standard Interest Rates Statutes Amendment Act

Recorded Vote

Bill 57: An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act

Recorded Vote

Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act

Recorded Vote

Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 167-18(3): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Review of Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Resources Act and Bill 37: An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

Page 5983

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was under the assumption that that would be a relatively small amount, but I will look forward to that information. My second question is: how much land is currently covered by the existing SDLs? Thank you.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. The Member asked how much land is currently covered by the existing SDLs. Does the Minister have an answer? Minister.

Page 5983

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Same thing. We will get that information while we are sitting, Mr. Chair.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

Page 5983

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So what is the term of existing SDLs in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Page 5983

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the current regulations, it's indefinite. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

Page 5983

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. What tools are available to the government to change the terms of existing SDLs? Thank you.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Minister.

Page 5983

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's either by consent or drilling order. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

I am sorry. Could you repeat your answer?

Page 5983

Wally Schumann Hay River South

It's either by consent or drilling order. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

Page 5983

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. This legislation proposes to change the terms of SDLs in particular and to provide for some certainty that work will be done before extensions of term are granted. Those are fine, and those are the kind of things that I think are a better approach to the old federal artefact, as I call it, but I would like to know if those new terms will apply to the existing SDLs that have an indeterminate term. Thank you.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Page 5983

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, they will not.

Page 5983

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. If the witnesses could just indicate when they are done speaking so that our team knows when to change the mics, that would be appreciated. Mr. Testart.

Page 5984

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. What assurances can the Minister give to people who are concerned about the old SDLs, the SDLs that weren't really working as well as intended? That was the feedback that we received. What assurances can the Minister give that those existing SDLs will be either brought into the regime that we will be bringing forward with the new legislation or, at least, will become competitive and not just sit there for an indeterminate amount of time, which could be until the end of time? What assurances can the Minister give that there will be work done and that these SDLs will generate economic activity that will benefit Northerners? Thank you.

Page 5984

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Page 5984

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It has been quite clear; we cannot change these existing SDLs that are already put into place. There would be significant litigation possibilities, as I have said to committee when we discussed this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Page 5984

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

Page 5984

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. Mr. Chair, I think the question is not: "will the Minister change the existing SDLs?" It was: "what comfort can he give to people who are concerned around the existing SDL regime that there will, in fact, be economic opportunity produced by these licences?" It doesn't have to be heavy-handed; it doesn't have to be drilling orders, but there has to be something there. If the department has no answer today, is this something that they can look at cooperatively with industry so that we can see some work move forward? Thank you.

Page 5984

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Debates of Aug. 13th, 2019

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