Shane Thompson Nahendeh

When I've been talking to the residents in both those communities, they talked about the opportunity to maybe increase the number of tags for outside the region, not just the community. Has the department looked at that potential opportunity?

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

There are a number of options that our department needs to look at. I think we've heard from the Member from Mackenzie Delta about their programs with grizzly bears, and if we would consider the number of tags that are used or allocated. It is something else we would have to look at. In this particular area, we would have to look at it, the bear problem in the Beau-Del, as well. We need to take all these factors into consideration as we try and help alleviate the problem of animal-human conflict.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Minister's answers. I have to give a big shout-out to his department, especially in Fort Liard and Fort Simpson. They do manage these areas here, and they're doing a great job, and they're communicating with the residents, and they're trying to address this issue locally, as well. Can the Minister advise if the department has reached out to the Department of Infrastructure to look at bordering the airports, putting fences around them, similar to what is done in Fort Providence?

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

We have worked with communities and MACA to fence off some key areas to keep bison out. I think one of the examples is in Fort Liard, and we will continue to work with the community of Nahanni Butte to explore options for fencing the Nahanni Butte airstrip again. Our departments will work closely with each other to try and find ways to help alleviate some of the problems that they're facing in the Nahendeh region with regard to bison, so we will continue to work on that and ensure that the public safety of the people is our first priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. In my statement earlier today I mentioned the difficult relations between our government and the NWT francophone community over education. Can the Minister tell me how many applications for admissions by non-rights holders she has received under the 2016 directive, and how many were approved? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have to take that question as notice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Later today I will table information on costs of mini-hydro projects for the Tlicho communities of Whati, Gameti, and Wekweeti. I shared this information with the Minister of Infrastructure earlier today. These projects would allow each community to meet its energy needs, offset diesel for electricity, and could displace home heating oil while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the cost of living. Is the Minister aware of these mini-hydro studies, and can he tell us whether the cost of these mini-hydro projects is comparable to the proposed Whati transmission line?

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'm well aware of these projects. These were led by the Tlicho Government. Costing goes back as far as 2009, and these things would have to be re-costed to present-day costs to compare it to what the present line that we are proposing in our energy strategy to connect Whati, which we haven't defined, as we discussed in this House yesterday. I can't compare the costs.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

I want to thank the Minister for that response. It's my understanding that the costs for some of those projects may actually go down with an all-weather road providing easier transportation. Can the Minister tell us whether there has been a comprehensive evaluation of energy options for the Tlicho communities that include mini-hydro, transmission lines from various sources, greenhouse gas reductions, and most importantly, perhaps, value for money?