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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

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Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was work.
Historical Information Robert C. McLeod is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly September 2019, as MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes

Won his last election, in 2015, with 60% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Tabled Document 531-18(3): Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board 65th Annual Report 2018-2019 Tabled Document 532-18(3): Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission 65th Annual Report Tabled Document 533-18(3): Annual Report 2018-19 of the Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation & Northwest Territories Power Corporation Tabled Document 534-18(3): Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1 to June 30, 2019) Pursuant to Section 74 of the Financial Administration Act August 22nd, 2019

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board 65th Annual Report 2018-2019"; "Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission 65th Annual Report"; "Annual Report 2018-19 of the Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation & Northwest Territories Power Corporation," and "Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1 to June 30, 2019) Pursuant to Section 74 of the Financial Administration Act." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 848-18(3): Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve August 22nd, 2019

A lot of the governments across the Northwest Territories have a vision, and we heard from the vision from the folks in Lutselk'e yesterday on 50 years. It was a 50-year vision, a story, and I'll share it today that I noted yesterday was one where it said, a former chief had gone down to Ottawa. They said: "Sign this. We're going to establish a park." The chief says: "I'll go talk to my people first, and we'll think about it." They thought about it for 30 years. That's the vision that they had. They wanted to make sure that they have consulted with their people, and made sure they come up with a product that was good for the people that they represent.

The conservation economy, they support the preservation of biodiversity through the creation of protected areas, and I think we did a lot of work in this government on that. We are protecting wildlife. Needless to say, we are protecting a way of life for Northerners. We are also trying to strengthen local economies in respecting culture and values, and we are committed to work with the Indigenous governments to realize a shared vision, a shared vision toward a strengthening conservation economy. Opportunities and products that support Indigenous economies, eco-tourism developed within protected areas would be a focus. This would benefit local Indigenous government communities and the NWT economy overall by providing local, meaningful employment, new infrastructure, and new local business.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT along with all our partners have a vision for the future of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Question 848-18(3): Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve August 22nd, 2019

Before I respond to the Member's question, the first question on the funding, there is significant funding coming from Canada as part of their agreements with the local Aboriginal governments on the federal portion of the park, and the $290,000 is on our portion of the park. They will be significantly funded, and it is going to help with the work going on in the park in the future.

ENR is working towards establishing a new website registry early in the life of the next Legislative Assembly.

Question 848-18(3): Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve August 22nd, 2019

The GNWT has committed $290,000 annually to the ongoing management of Thaidene Nene. Additionally, as the Member pointed out, they are getting some funding from Canada. These funds will allow the GNT Lutselk'e Dene First Nation, Deninu K'ue First Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and the Northwest Territories Metis Nation to effectively manage Thaidene Nene for the next four years.

Question 848-18(3): Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve August 22nd, 2019

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh said before, it was a great event that we went to yesterday, and a lot of that came as a result of our passing the Protected Areas Act, so anyone who had anything to do with that should be very proud of how it turned out for the folks in Lutselk'e.

To the Member's question, the signed establishment agreement legally binds the GNWT to establish Thaidene Nene. However, protected areas are formally established under the Protected Areas Act by regulation. Site-specific to Thaidene Nene, skeleton regulations have been drafted to establish Thaidene Nene territorial protected area and will be signed by the Commissioner shortly. The full comprehensive set of regulations will be developed within 18 months of establishment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabled Document 511-18(3): Capital Estimates 2020-2021 Tabled Document 512-18(3): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 19-18(3): Report on the Review of the 2017-2018 Public Accounts August 21st, 2019

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Capital Estimates, 2020-2021"; and "Government of the Northwest Territories' Response to Committee Report 19-18(3): Report on the Review of the 2017-2018 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban August 21st, 2019

This department does provide a lot of leadership, and this is another one of those cases where we need to work with our partners. In the environment we operate in the Northwest Territories with all our municipal and Indigenous governments and our partners, we need to do what we can to work with our partners to ensure that unilateral decisions are not being made by this Assembly and implemented. I think it's good counsel to work with our partners to try to come up with strategies and plans that are a benefit to all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban August 21st, 2019

As you have heard the last week or so with some of the questions I have been getting from a couple of the Members on our concern with the wildlife running around in the community, we will do what we can. I don't think I will direct my department to have our officers and local offices collecting recyclables. They have other tasks that they need to do which we feel are a priority, especially the safety of the public. What we can do is to try to work with those who may be able to provide that service for us. I'm not sure what the details are yet, and I'm going to be honest about that. I know we are looking at trying to reduce our single-use plastic, as well.

Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban August 21st, 2019

Of course, we need to have our conversations with industry. I don't know if the conversations have actually happened yet, at the official level. Again, I would have to confirm that information. I do recognize concern that folks from across the Northwest Territories have about single-use plastic, and I believe it's incumbent on us to try and do what we can to eliminate those across the Northwest Territories

Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban August 21st, 2019

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can understand the Member's concern with the use of single-use plastic bags across the Northwest Territories. As Minister of MACA, I went to a lot of waste sites across the Northwest Territories. I've seen all the white plastic bags that were there, and I can assure the Member that we have had some discussions with our federal counterparts and our colleagues from across the country. I believe we have come out with a strategy on single-use plastic bags. I'm not quite familiar with the details right now, but I'd be more than happy to get those and share them with the Member.