Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Jim Antoine is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2003, as MLA for Nahendeh

Won his last election, in 1999, with 61% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery October 9th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a number of people in the gallery today. First I would like to recognize Jim Excell. He's president of Ekati diamond mines. He, like some of us here, will be retiring later on this year.

---Applause

I would also like to recognize the members of the NWT Business Coalition. Kelly Hayden is past president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce; Denise Burlingame is president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce and is also senior public affairs officer with BHP Billiton; I would like to recognize Georges Erasmus, a long-time leader and friend of mine; and I would like to recognize two Pages from Fort Simpson who have been serving us all week, Megan Okrainec and Anthony Roche.

---Applause

Item 4: Returns To Oral Questions October 9th, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Dent on October 8, 2003, regarding the approval for Giant Mine's remediation project. In response to the Member's question, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has been aware of the following information on the timing of surface remediation at Giant Mine:

  • • Surface remediation at Giant Mine does not depend on the Government of Canada finalizing the plan to manage the arsenic stored underground at the mine and to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals.
  • • While any long-term management plan for arsenic underground will necessitate access to the storage vaults and for some surface structures such as the C-shaft headframe work to remain functional, the federal government could initiate cleanup of other surface liabilities immediately.

However, as the Honourable Joe Handley stated to this Assembly, there is a difference of opinion between this government and the Government of Canada as to whose responsibility it is to remediate and fund the surface cleanup. Despite the Government of the Northwest Territories formally inviting the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in November 2001 to enter into discussions to resolve our differences, progress to date has been minimal. Territorial officials continue to pursue DIAND for speed and resolution in this matter, Mr. Speaker. We recognize the Member's concern over the slow pace of remediation at Giant Mine, however this government must continue to be diligent in ensuring that the Government of Canada fulfils its legislative and fiscal responsibility at Giant and that correct management decisions are made with respect to the long-term health and safety of Northerners in our natural environment. We need and will continue to be very careful when making these decisions. Our future generations would expect no less than that. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

conclusion October 9th, 2003

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has been active and vigilant in conserving and protecting our natural environment, while fostering the prudent and sustainable development of both renewable and non-renewable resources. We have also played an important role in providing meaningful career opportunities for the young people of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.

economic Development October 9th, 2003

The rapid growth of the NWT economy has provided for many economic opportunities. We have many success stories we could report on.

Mr. Speaker, we began with the creation of the Common Ground Economic Strategy Panel, which undertook a comprehensive review of the NWT economy and recommended actions to foster continued economic growth. The strategy provided a foundation for specific actions in a wide range of areas, including access to capital. We then worked through the Business Program Review Panel to develop a "single window" approach to deliver our government's business development services. Draft legislation and recommended actions have been developed for the next government. We also took into account recommendations from the Bankers' Commission in order to remedy the chronic shortage of capital that hampers economic development in the NWT.

Through our business programs, we have provided the following assistance over the past four years:

- $10.1 million contributed through the business development fund;

- an increase of 33.3 percent in jobs established through subsidiaries or investments made by the Northwest Territories Development Corporation;

- establishment of the NWT opportunities fund, which provides access to additional capital under the new federal immigrant investor program;

- distribution of over 2000 copies of a new booklet on "How to Start a Business in the NWT" through the Canada/NWT Business Service Centre and community futures organizations;

- over $2.28 million provided since 2001 through the private partnership fund to territorial businesses to maximize northern employment in resource development;

- socio-economic agreements with diamond producers to access rough diamonds and business support to approved manufacturers in order to establish a value-added diamond cutting and polishing industry. We set up the world's first polished diamond certification program, and we developed a world-class diamond cutting training program that attracts students from every corner of the globe.

We also want to see aboriginal businesses grow and mature. Two highlights are:

- signing of the Gwich'in memorandum of understanding to give aboriginal businesses in the Gwich'in settlement area greater opportunity to participate in government contracting. To date, our overall contracting goals in this area have been exceeded, with a total of $4.2 million in contracts being awarded to Gwich'in businesses;

- financial and political support for the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, which Mackenzie Delta Gas Producers Group to secure a one-third ownership share of a Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline for aboriginal governments.

We have promoted our tourism industry which has faced severe challenges in recent years. I spoke earlier of our recent actions in this area. As well, an NWT tourism strategy was developed in cooperation with the industry. A comprehensive tourism exit survey and report was conducted last year to create more accurate market data for the industry, and a tourism marketing conversion assessment was completed to provide an accurate and useful analysis of the effectiveness of tourism media advertising campaigns.

environment October 9th, 2003

Under the protected areas strategy, communities continue to identify land and processes to protect important areas. Last year, lands were withdrawn for protection in the Edhzhie or Horn Plateau. Currently, nine protected area candidate initiatives are in progress. In addition, the PAS Implementation and Advisory Committee recently approved a five-year management plan in partnership with the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development that will see more than $17 million invested to protect areas of significant value in the Northwest Territories prior to the construction of a pipeline.

Climate change is also of great concern to territorial residents. The department developed both the greenhouse gas strategy and the energy strategy to encourage residents, businesses and governments to conserve energy and develop affordable and sustainable sources of energy. We have taken a leading role on behalf of this government to work with other Canadian governments toward the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, which will curb the emission of these gasses on a global level. We continue to develop and adopt new standards, under our Environmental Protection Act, to manage air quality.

In the past two years, the department has coordinated our government's participation in eight major environmental assessments relating to proposed tungsten, diamond, forestry and oil and natural gas developments. The environmental assessment unit was formed this year to help coordinate more effective environmental assessment.

In addition, the department negotiated and signed the Yukon-NWT trans-boundary water management agreement in February 2002, to facilitate closer cooperation and more effective management of shared water resources.

environment October 9th, 2003

We have taken a number of measures over the past four years to protect and enhance the quality of our land, air and water. The proposed Waste Reduction and Recovery Act will allow us to establish programs that should reduce materials going to landfills and littering the land. Under the protected areas strategy, communities continue to identify land and processes to protect important areas.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 349(6) so that all Ministers' statements filed with the Clerk can be delivered today.

wildlife October 9th, 2003

The department is responsible for maintaining healthy wildlife populations. Earlier this year, the department initiated the western NWT biophysical study. This $1 million project will gather baseline data to measure and mitigate the impact of natural gas development on wildlife and wildlife habitat.

We continue to support harvesting of our healthy wildlife populations. Over the past four years, the western NWT harvester assistance program, which promotes community driven, renewable resource harvesting initiatives has committed almost $1.8 million to 23 qualified organizations, who match our contribution as a condition of participation.

As well, we have worked over the past four years to renew our Wildlife Act and develop a Species at Risk Act. Aboriginal governments and the public have been intimately involved in providing advice so that the proposed legislation will be compatible with land claim agreements and address the concerns with the existing legislation.

resources October 9th, 2003

The management of our renewable resources, which includes wise use, relates directly to the health of our environment and our economy. RWED has worked hard to promote the management and use of fur, forest, agriculture, et cetera. Mr. Speaker, I recently provided an update on our fur program and the results we are achieving.

We have also worked steadily at improving our forest inventories which need constant updating and are the basis for determining sustainable harvest levels. We are involving aboriginal governments through the development of forest management agreements. In addition, over 670,000 tree seedlings were planted through contracts with communities over the past four years to help renew our forests.

To assist our farming sector, Mr. Speaker, our government has signed the national agricultural policy framework agreement for the 21st Century, and a bilateral agricultural accord that will lever funding from the federal government. Members are also aware of the activities we undertook to deal with the recent outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, BSE.

Minister's Statement 114-14(6): Rwed Achievements October 9th, 2003

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide the Members of the Legislative Assembly with highlights of the major initiatives that the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has undertaken over the past four years.

Minister's Statement 112-14(6): Tourism Marketing Campaign October 9th, 2003

Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry has worked hard over the past 14 years to promote the Northwest Territories as the premier Aurora viewing destination for Japanese tourists.

Since 1989 when 80 Japanese tourists came to view the aurora borealis, the industry has grown to a peak of just over 13,000 visitors during the winter of 2000-2001, who spent $20 million in the Northwest Territories.

Unfortunately, the growth in this industry came to an abrupt halt with the impact of September 11, 2001. After the tragic events of that day, the number of aurora tourists from Japan dropped dramatically and spending dropped by $11.2 million. The SARS and BSE outbreaks and the war in Iraq have also impacted the Japanese aurora viewing market and resulted in further revenue losses of $2.6 million.

Mr. Speaker, Members of this Assembly have recognized that without intervention by this government and our tourism partners the recovery of the Aurora viewing market would not be assured. Many businesses now depend on Japanese tourism spending, which amounts to about $1600 per visitor. Any further erosion of this delicate tourism market will have severe impacts on many northern businesses. This government is committed to working with our partners to ensure the Japanese people know the Northwest Territories is a safe and healthy place to visit.

For this reason, I am pleased that the Legislative Assembly agreed yesterday to provide a supplementary appropriation of $250,000 for a targeted marketing campaign this winter in Japan promoting the Northwest Territories as a safe tourism destination. This investment will lever additional funding from our partners including the Canadian Tourism Commission and industry, bringing the total budget for the campaign to more than $500,000.

The Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism Association and the Canadian Tourism Commission, in consultation with our major Japanese tour operators, are developing the campaign. The campaign is targeted specifically at the large wholesale tour industry and will include five components: media familiarization tours; travel trade familiarization tours; sales visits; participation at the Japanese tour operators Kanata marketplace; and, print media campaign. The aim is to rekindle interest in Japanese travelers coming to the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I am confident that by working together with our tourism industry partners we can bring the aurora viewing tourism industry back to, and even surpass, its previous levels and expand this industry throughout the Northwest Territories. This additional funding is good news for our tourism industry and will be welcomed at the upcoming 2003 Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism Association annual general meeting and tourism conference that will be held in Inuvik on November 6 to 8. Mahsi.

---Applause