Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize a member of the Fab Five, Mr. Robert Bouchard. I'm very proud to recognize Felix Lockhart; he's a good friend. I express my condolences to his family. In a previous life, I met Felix through the Dene Nation movement. He was the vice-chief for Akaitcho and I also served as the vice-chief for the Dehcho. That's how we met, and it's been great knowing him and continuing to know him and I express my deep condolences to his family. Welcome to the Assembly. Mahsi.

[Translation] ...such as on-land hunting, fishing, and trapping. Here in Yellowknife, there are six places that they have, and in this here, there is only one. When it's a small place like that they work on, it's hard. In small communities, band councils usually exist and deliver municipal services, sometimes the local band councils, and that is why the settlement or hamlet councils they have. The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes band councils as designated authorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [End of translation]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I stand behind the report that was brought forth in the Legislative Assembly. The concern in terms of the timeliness of legislation has to be raised. I know that we are kind of at the tail end of the 18^th Assembly. We were dealt a task, and part of that process was to undertake a level of consultations with the people of the Northwest Territories.

We are also, of course, dealing with another parallel process that was at the federal level in terms of implementing an income tax on petroleum products or carbon-based products. It was unfortunate that the task was for the government to deal with climate change, to take that first step, and that first step was to tax people. Perhaps down the road, there could be some discussion in terms of taking constructive steps in terms of dealing with some practical initiatives. One of them is reductions on plastic products. There is a country in Latin America, Costa Rica, that has banned plastics. Why can't we do that here in the Northwest Territories? Perhaps initiatives like that could be contemplated in the next Assembly.

For the most part, I stand behind the report. The concern was accepting what the federal government had proposed in terms of the federal backstop. In its implementation, I think that we have customized an approach in terms of how it is that it could work up here in the Northwest Territories. Foremost, as an MLA, is the concern about how it is going to impact the cost of living to people who, in their livelihood, that everybody drives trucks. You have to drive a skidoo. You have to drive a boat to get to your destination. Even if you hunt and trap, you have to drive a skidoo. It is going to have a big impact. I think that this government has taken a level of responsibility, customize it, to try to cushion its implementation.

As I indicated and stated at the outset, I think that we could have done a little bit better in terms of consultation and sharing of information to make this legislation stronger. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask my question that I wanted to understand this policy here. The Minister had indicated that communities have community plans. I would think that those community plans are community land use planning zones. There are lands identified as residential, commercial, and industrial lands, and there are future lands that would be zoned in. I wonder if the Minister could clarify that and whether most communities have those community plans in place in the NWT? Mahsi.

As the Minister, what improvements does he think the Department of Lands could make to its processes to address the issues with land administration being raised by municipal governments?

Once in a while you come across a policy that is seventies-era. That's when Ottawa made all of the decisions for people of the NWT, and times have changed. My question is: what concerns or obstacles would stand in the way of the GNWT converting all public land within municipal boundaries to fee simple title for transfer to municipal governments or current leaseholders?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am following up my statement with questions to the Minister of Lands in terms of the level the certainty for lands in communities. I think that everyone has the dream about the idea of buying and owning their homes. What is at issue at this point is that the certainty of land ownership is not clear. My question is to the Minister of Lands: how does the Department of Lands work with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs with respect to the provision of land for municipal purposes and interaction with community governments? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to acknowledge and recognize Joe Tambour of the K'atlodeeche First Nations. He is translating, and he has been in the booth for some time. I really appreciate his presence in helping us to bridge the gap in terms of understanding English and Dehcho Dene Zhatie, and I expect him to be here for another week. [No translation provided] Masi. Thank you.

While the term of this Assembly is drawing to a close, issues related to municipal lands are likely to continue. I hope that Ministers of lands and municipal and community affairs in the 19^th Legislative Assembly will have the vision and leadership necessary to ensure that communities in the NWT have the land they need to grow and prosper. I will have questions for the Minister of Lands at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.