Deputy minister.

Mahsi, because we got a commitment for looking into that. Mr. Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would ask the Minister, will there be an opportunity for those that were impacted to be either reinstated in their positions, or at least have the opportunity to reapply and be rehired when that policy falls off the table? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Simpson. Minister.

Thank you. For that detail, you're going to have to ask the Finance Minister what the policy is, what the HR policy is. I'm not going to get into that. It was a decision made by us on how we're going to move forward on this and so we are following the chief public health officer's directions, and we are working with the federal government on how we deal with it. And for that detail of how that's being implemented, maybe save that question for the Finance Minister. Thank you.

Mahsi, Minister. Are there any other questions for this section? Mr. Edjericon.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, thank you. This section I just want to make sure, are we -- I know we got the time limit in going through this. Is it -- or do we go through page by page and then we go through ten minutes of it? Or just can I get some clarification on that? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Edjericon. Yes, what we do here is we go section by section, and I'll read off the section that we're on and the page numbers that we're dealing with. So we're working through the department, but as we move along, right. So now we're on corporate management. And you'll see at the top of the page, it says "corporate management", "corporate management", and the next one would be "environmental protection", which is a different section. So we're just sticking on corporate management right now. So you can just gear all your questions within that section. So you got eight minutes left to go.

---Laughter

Thank you. Well, just reviewing these couple of pages here, including the graphs and that in there, and then also on page 69, it talks about activities. And I guess for me what stands out as we go through this section here is that we talk about wildlife, fish -- I know it's a little further down -- but when I went through it, one thing I don't see is that maybe if the Minister could maybe help me out so I understand with your department in terms of downstream users for fish and from the water coming down from Alberta, they say water is life and if it's life then, you know, we all eat the fish. So I just want to know if there's any fish studies done by your department so that we -- is there a report out there? I just want to let that out to you. Thank you.

Yes, maybe if I can just clarify, Mr. Edjericon. We got wildlife and fish on page 94. So we can save that question for when we get to that section because we're just dealing with corporate management at this time. We're on page -- we're starting from 72, 73, 74, 75. Mahsi.

So 72 there, the other thing is that I know last year we'd -- there was in the news where there was wasted meat that was found. You know, in the Dene culture, you know, we don't like to waste meat. We harvest what we need and that kind of thing. So I guess maybe you could help explain what assurances can you give me to see how we could prevent this from happening again for -- when hunters go out there, sometimes they waste meat, et cetera. Like, what are we doing to put a stop to that? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Edjericon. Minister.

Thank you. So we do have enforcement. We have individuals that reach out to our departments, our regional offices, and we inspect it and that. But for that detail of how the process is, I'll ask the deputy minister, with your permission, to provide more information. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Deputy minister.

Mahsi. Mr. Edjericon.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, and I think -- thank you for your answer. And you also mentioned that you're also working with the local harvesters as well I'm assuming, and if you are, then you're also working closely with the Indigenous governments as well and to put an end to some of these activities.

I guess, Mr. Chairman, I don't -- I mean, I'm thinking here is that we got -- this section is a really interesting section but I just want to say that, you know, as a former Chief, I -- you know, when I used to go to assemblies and the Minister comes in and they do their speech and we try to ask questions and then the next thing you know, the time's up and they leave but then we don't get results. So I just want to say that, you know, it's actually an honour and privilege to sit here and question the Minister and get staff, and we can hear it firsthand. You know, so I have more questions in this document that I have for the Minister. I'll just leave it at that. Thank you.

All right. Mahsi, Mr. Edjericon. If there are no further questions, I'll allow the Minister to make a comment. Mahsi.

Yes, thank you very much. I have only been the Minister for the last two years, but I can tell you right now we've had the opportunity to meet with Indigenous governments, Indigenous leadership, and we had conversation, frank conversations, good communications, a lot of questions and answers, and we're trying to work together collaboratively. It's the most important part of what and how I feel with the department of ENR. We try to work with our Indigenous governments and our partners. And just for a little bit further detail, I'll ask the deputy minister to just give a little bit more update. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Minister. Deputy minister.

Mahsi for that bit of news. That's good, good stuff. No further questions, please turn to page 73, operations expenditures summary, environment and natural resources, corporate management, operations expenditures summary, 2022-2023 Main Estimates, $14,984,000. Does the committee agree?