Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, of all of the access roads, and I believe there are 13, which includes the Ingraham Trail, I would like to know where the access roads to the Hay River Reserve rank in terms of priority. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Transportation. The constituents in the Hay River Reserve are concerned about the condition of the access road to the reserve. This road was constructed through a heavy equipment program in 1970. This road is very narrow and winding and dusty, and certainly not up to today's standards. I would like to ask the Minister what his department's plans are to upgrade the access road to the Hay River Reserve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today concerns forest management in the Deh Cho. Mr. Speaker, many residents in my riding are confused by the policies and practices of the GNWT with regard to the issuance of timber cutting permits in Cameron Hills, through seemingly little reliable information about sustainable forest inventory and how it relates to the annual allowable cut as calculated by the forest management division of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

Indeed, much of the information seems contradictory in nature. Yet despite these contradictions, many timber cutting permits were issued this winter, and many residents are concerned about the environment. Mr. Speaker, it is essential that the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development increase its focus on community consultation with regard to forest management issues.

These consultations should be meaningful, Mr. Speaker. By that I mean the department should give consideration to including communities in some kind of inclusive decision making with regard to forest management issues.

Mr. Speaker, the Forest Management Act allows for the development of forest management agreements with communities. These agreements, if structured properly, could allow for more meaningful community participation and decision making, as well as ensuring that benefits from forest management activity accrue to the communities in which the activity takes place.

Mr. Speaker, as the Cameron Hills is an area of shared traditional land use between the residents of Kakisa Lake, Hay River Dene Reserve and Fort Providence, I suggest the forest management division pursues a tri-community approach to forest management issues. Perhaps a comprehensive forest management agreement could be developed between the three communities. I further suggest that the forest management division not focus on jurisdictional issues and the retention of powers when considering policies and practices. Instead, it should focus on maximizing community participation in forest management. In doing so, it will help form a more solid base of community support for GNWT involvement in forest management issues as well as other resource management initiatives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Mr. Chairman, that was not my understanding. My understanding was that BDF communities were broken down to three levels, and level three communities would be eligible up to 70 percent, level two up to 30 percent and level one, zero. I wonder where I could get firm confirmation on that?

Mr. Chairman, I did not hear an answer to my question about whether level one communities qualified for BDF funding.

One final question. In reference to the BDF, I know the Chair has cautioned us about referencing documents, but I know in the past the program is supposed to be geared to three different levels of communities, level one, two and three.

My understanding is that level three communities did not qualify for BDF funding. Could I get clarification? Is that correct?

Thank you. I have a couple more questions. In the last couple of pages, we have heard the Mackenzie Valley development plan being referenced a couple times. I was just wondering if we could be provided with a comprehensive number. The budget for that project seems to be broken up in different areas. Can we get a summary of what it is costing?

Thank you. I want to ask a question regarding Kakisa and Tatlina Lakes. There has been commercial fishing going on, I believe since the 1960s. Over the last couple of years, there has been a real decline in the fish stocks. I understand there is a study to be conducted this summer. I was wondering if your department is involved with the study?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The work plan, which is a preliminary work plan, was developed over a period of three years. What is required is an in-depth, on-site inspection, which would come up with some very hard costs as to the clean-up. Initially, the work plan has been developed for a three year period. The costs for next year are starting to be significant, so the expectation is that the liability question would be addressed sometime this year. Thank you.