Michael Miltenberger

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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was going.
Historical Information Michael Miltenberger is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2015, as MLA for Thebacha

Lost his last election, in 2015, with 39% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Hanging Ice Bison Ranch Proposal February 19th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to make a comment today about the Hanging Ice Bison Ranch and the Department of Renewable Resources. The Department of Renewable Resources gave the community of Fort Smith until December 1st to submit a proposal to possibly salvage the Hanging Ice Bison Ranch. After I was elected, I made this an issue and we tried to come up with a salvage plan, but lo and behold we found out that the government had moved ahead and ignored its own deadline to us and said it's too bad, it's unfortunate, but we've already signed a contract.

That was fine. We weren't that happy but we decided we would make the best of it because some of that was our own fault. We indicated to the government that we would be interested in pulling together a salvage plan with possibly using Elk Island buffalo and possibly going to the people of Fort Providence to see if they would be kind enough to give us some buffalo to restock Hanging Ice Ranch.

The government indicated that they would be very happy to work with us in a positive way that, yes, they would leave the infrastructure that was there to help us possibly pull together a salvage plan. We accepted that in good faith. As things have proceeded, the buffalo are now gone and it turns out that not only are the buffalo gone but they've killed the ranch and now they're in there looting the corpses. They've taken away the infrastructure that they promised they would allow us to keep to work around to see if we could put together a proposal. The deputy minister, who seems to be running the department, has made that commitment. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that the people of Fort Smith feel very shabbily treated by the Department of Renewable Resources in this case. We've attempted to be very calm and rational about this to work with the government; and it's extremely disillusioning, I might add, as we talk about open government and working with the people. If it's an indication of how the Department of Renewable Resources intends to do business, then I think we have lots of work to do if they want to have a good working relationship in the community and I think it's very unfortunate. Thank you.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96 February 18th, 1996

I have that agreement. I have no further questions at this point.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96 February 18th, 1996

Madam Chair, I have a comment and then another question. I just want to point out that I was on the phone on October 17th on this issue and the deal had

already been done. It just gives me pause to question this date of December 1 st as set by the Department of Renewable Resources. It wasn't set by the community. It's a question of good faith. If they arbitrarily decide because they got a better offer, what good is the Department of Renewable Resources when it comes to deadlines? Do we have any kind of guarantee that a whole pile of these buffalo aren't going to be shipped south right off the top to cover off the investment of the private investor or is there some condition that would keep these buffalo, at least for a while, in the Northwest Territories, or is it just take the buffalo and do what you want?

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96 February 18th, 1996

The reason I asked is that the deadline that was given to the community of Fort Smith to submit an alternate proposal was December 1st. After I was elected and I brought it up and starting pursuing it, I found out that there already had been an arrangement made prior to the deadline and we were sort of left out in the cold. So that's why I was asking about the date. I know the great buffalo capers and the buffalo are all gone, but that has always been a sticky point in the community. I don't know if the Minister would care to respond to that.

Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1995-96 February 18th, 1996

Thank you, Madam Chair. Since this issue of buffalo has come up, I just have a couple of questions. I think the figure of 168 bison is probably low, I think it's more in the area of 180. The figure I heard was about $1.3 million in buffalo. So I don't know if this is an accurate figure. My first question would be with regard to the date. When was this grant in kind contribution agreed to?

Question 63-13(2): Application Of Northern Preference Policy On Contracts February 18th, 1996

I was just trying to get the attention of a Page.

Question 50-13(2): Application Of Rules To Negotiated Contracts February 15th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question about negotiated contracts which I would like to direct to the Premier. I would just like the Premier to confirm that the three basic rules for negotiated contracts still apply at this point; that is, for a negotiated contract to be arranged in a community, there has to be community support for that contract; it has to be within budget; and, it has to be northern. Do those three basic rules still apply? Thank you.

Minister's Statement 1-13(2): Sessional Statement February 14th, 1996

Thank you, Madam Chair. I was going to say I heard at least 25 questions during the general comments. I don't know if the Premier is making a list or if those were just rhetorical questions and now we will get down to the real questions. Thank you.

Question 27-13(2): Possible Remedies Re Skyline Cable Systems February 14th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The constituents who I've talked to find it very hard to understand why something that is if not illegal, so borderline illegal, would not be addressed. Whereas, we have no problem if somebody steals a can of tuna, we will send him to jail for 30 days. This kind of white collar activity cannot get prosecuted and people can't see justice done. I would ask the Minister if he would possibly reconsider asking his officials to be a little more enthusiastic in their attempt to contact officials in Calgary, where this company came from. If they have done it up here, they have done it to others. It just seems too easy to say we can't do anything. They can rob and pillage us within the fine line of the law and can get away with it. I would ask the Minister if he would reconsider asking his officials to contact the authorities to see whether they could coordinate an attempt to bring these individuals to some sort of justice. Thank you.

Question 27-13(2): Possible Remedies Re Skyline Cable Systems February 14th, 1996

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Justice and it's with regard to a company: Skyline Personal Cable Systems; a company of dubious character that came skulking into the North a number of months ago selling illegal cable systems to the people, about 120 or so who have been out of pocket now for a number of months, often to the tune of $2,000 each. Of course, this company has since gone back south from whence they came, unfortunately taking a bunch of money from unsuspecting northerners who acted in good faith. I appreciate the information the Minister has provided to date, but I would appreciate if the Minister could indicate to the House what could be done, what sort of redress do these northerners have in terms of possibly getting their money back and seeing justice done. Thank you.