Robert Bouchard

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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Crucial Fact

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

Last in the Legislative Assembly November 2015, as MLA for Hay River North

Lost his last election, in 2015, with 35% of the vote.

Statements in the House

MOTION 44-17(5): COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC REVIEW OF HORIZONTAL HYDRAULIC FRACTURING, defeatED June 4th, 2015

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the mover and the seconder of this motion. I think a lot of the information that's in this motion is true. I think we do need to get more information out to the public, but at this current time I don't think it's an appropriate time to have this motion. I think it's too early in the process. Our government is currently looking at all the regulations and discussing this.

The Member has indicated that there is no indication that there is any discussion about discussing hydraulic fracturing anymore. The Ministers in this House indicated that we're going to take our time. We know there's a natural moratorium. All the industry companies have told us that they're not going to be here for another two years at least, so this motion to have a moratorium is moot. It doesn't do anything, because we already have a natural moratorium happening.

Our committee, the Economic Development and Infrastructure committee, the mover and seconder are on it. They know that we are putting that information out to the public, getting the public informed. I think most of the concerns that I've been hearing are people want to know more information before they make a decision, so we need to do that. I agree that this government has maybe failed in the fact that maybe we should have brought out a whole discussion.

Some of the other Members have talked about the Yukon. The Yukon spent two years going through the process, and I do believe the Yukon is going ahead. They're going to want to talk about regulation. They're going to want to make sure that is great for the Yukon, great for the Northwest Territories regulations, making this jurisdiction the toughest in the world to do hydraulic fracturing, to protect the land and the water.

I do believe that a lot of the information is there, but I don't think we need to stop this process right now. I think we need to carry on. We need to keep the pressure on the government, to make sure that regulations are done correctly and our public is informed on hydraulic fracturing. We're doing that. We have a press release out right now. We have all kinds of information. Our research has been spending tons of time. EDI has been looking at this for over two years. We need to get that information out to the public and let the public decide that decision after a process, not to take a knee-jerk reaction and say, “Let's have a moratorium.”

A motion to say moratorium says, “Industry, we're shut down for business. We don't want the business here for at least two years.” Well, we know that the diamond mines are getting to their shelf life on some of them. Where is the next opportunity in 10 years from now? If we shut down now for two years, are we shutting down for 25 years? Who knows? We know that anytime there's a holdup in the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, any kind of holdup could have an effect for 20 years from now.

I think this motion is a little bit premature. I think maybe even in the fall we could have this motion and have a more serious discussion, once the public has had an opportunity. Now that the regulations have been out and it's a keen topic in the public, once they have that information, then they can make that decision. The problem that I have is some of the people who I've been getting e-mails from are dead set against fracking. It's not even calling for a moratorium; it's just saying no. “Say no.”

I don't think a lot of our public believe that or have educated themselves to that point to say, “Absolutely no.” I think the majority of our public is saying, “You guys are doing regulations already and we're not up to speed. We haven't been given all the information on that.” I agree; we need to give them that information. Let's do that. Let's not put a moratorium on it at this time. Let's get the information out to the public. Let's keep the discussion going. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 876-17(5): Territorial Electricity Rate Equalization Fund June 4th, 2015

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am just wondering if I can get clarification. So, the GNWT provides half a million dollars to NUL to operate in the communities, not in Hay River or Yellowknife, in the other communities where it's too costly to operate right now.

Question 876-17(5): Territorial Electricity Rate Equalization Fund June 4th, 2015

I'll ask the Minister how he could describe this. Why do we do it this way as opposed to just letting the rate be in those areas and we just pay through the Territorial Power Subsidy Program?

Question 876-17(5): Territorial Electricity Rate Equalization Fund June 4th, 2015

Can the Minister clarify which groups and which corporations are paid this subsidy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 876-17(5): Territorial Electricity Rate Equalization Fund June 4th, 2015

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for Minister Miltenberger. Can the Minister describe to me what the GNWT rate equalization program is?

Question 870-17(5): Medical Coverage For Residents Travelling Outside The Territory June 4th, 2015

I'm just wondering why it took the department so long to do this. I'm wondering what the concern has been. These people typically, like the Minister indicated, have insurance on their own, so why has it been an issue for us to take so long to deal with this issue?

Question 870-17(5): Medical Coverage For Residents Travelling Outside The Territory June 4th, 2015

Can the Minister indicate to me how these changes will be implemented? Is it through a change in legislation? He indicated guidelines, but will those be before this House so that we can show to the general public that the issues that they have been bringing up are being dealt with?

Question 870-17(5): Medical Coverage For Residents Travelling Outside The Territory June 4th, 2015

My next question is obviously the Minister has indicated he has given some direction. When does he anticipate that some of these guidelines and the increased amount of time to be away from the Northwest Territories for these seniors will be available?

Question 870-17(5): Medical Coverage For Residents Travelling Outside The Territory June 4th, 2015

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister responsible for Seniors. I know we talked about seniors quite a bit in the House here. One of the questions that has been coming up through Regular Members is the issue with snowbirds and the time that they are allowed to stay away from the Northwest Territories. I know the Minister has talked about this in the House before. I'm wondering where this currently sits in relation to other jurisdictions.

Member's Statement On Summer Safety Issues June 4th, 2015

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we finish this session, I'd like to wish you and my colleagues a good summer break. I know we're continuing to do a bunch of work. I know some of those programs in both EDI committees are out on the road.

As we look forward to the summer, I know that Northerners will be out on the land. I just want to urge them to be safe out there. I know over the last three or four years we've had eight fatalities on the highways; we've had 13 fatalities on the water. So we need people to make sure that they're being careful out there, making sure they're protecting each other.

We need to also ensure that we don't drink and drive. We need to eliminate drinking and driving and make sure that if you're drinking, not to be driving. Let's be safe out there this summer.

Obviously, we know of our fire situation. We need to make sure that everybody takes precautions in the fire area. We need to make sure that campfires are out and make sure that there's no smoking in very tinder dry areas. We just need to make sure we're really safe out there. Thanks.