This is page numbers 557 - 606 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 thanks.

Topics

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of ENR.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. With your permission, I would turn the mic over to the deputy minister. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Ms. Kelly.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Kelly

Thank you, Madam Chair. At this time, it is on a list of things that we still need to complete, but we recognize the importance of looking into this. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Member for Frame Lake.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Is there a timeline for that work to be completed? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of ENR.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. Presently, we don't have a timeline, and we are just evaluating our priorities moving forward. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Okay. I will be watching for that. I want to turn, though, to page 70 of the main estimates. There is an item here, Community Harvesters Assistance Program. It looks like it actually went down from 2018-2019. Can I have an explanation as to what happened in 2018-2019? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of ENR.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, I'll ask the deputy minister to answer this part. Thank you.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Ms. Kelly.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Kelly

Thank you, Madam Chair. If you look at the Community Harvesters Assistance Program line, as well as the local wildlife committee line, you can see that there were some adjustments that were made, although the total is very similar because we combined contribution agreements to reduce administrative burden. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Member for Frame Lake.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair, and thanks to the Minister and his staff for that explanation. Can someone tell me just very briefly what the Community Harvesters Assistance Program is all about, and if and when it was last increased? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of ENR.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. At this point in time, I'll ask the deputy minister to give that sort of detail. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Ms. Kelly.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Kelly

Thank you, Madam Chair. These are contributions to local wildlife committees that provide assistance and resources to harvesters, and the last time that that amount was looked at was 10 years ago. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Member for Frame Lake.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Wow, 10 years. That's a lot of inflation. There have also been changes in wildlife populations, particularly around caribou, where there are harvesting prohibitions on the Bathurst herd, a number of restrictions on a number of other herds, so people have to go further to access different wildlife, different herds, to get food. Does the department have any plans to increase the harvesters assistance program?

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of ENR.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. Right now, the department has been asked by our Indigenous governments to look at this program, to evaluate it, and see if we are actually meeting our needs moving forward. For further detail, I'll ask the deputy minister to add to the answer. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 567

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Ms. Kelly.