Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Historical Information Samuel Gargan is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly December 1999, as MLA for Deh Cho

Lost his last election, in 1999, with 37% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Implementation Of Northern Accord November 13th, 1994

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, first I would like express my appreciation to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for his statement on the northern accord. I applaud his efforts to include all the aboriginal stakeholder organizations in the

decision-making process for the implementation of this important accord.

Madam Speaker, in the Deh Cho, there has been considerable pressure upon the communities of Kakisa and Fort Providence to open the Cameron Hills area to oil and gas development. It seems to me that the federal government is offering the oil and gas industry strong support for opening this area for exploration.

I would like to publicly thank the oil and gas companies for recognizing our interest in the area and not pursuing any exploration programs. Once the issue of jurisdiction is resolved in the area, I am confident we will be able to work with the oil and gas companies to develop the area's potential.

In a related matter, Madam Speaker, a diamond exploration company was granted to do some test drilling just north of Fort Providence. The permission was granted by the federal government. People in my constituency had some very valid concerns about the lack of consultation with the community about the drilling program. A meeting was held between the community and Gerle Gold Exploration Company. At this meeting, an agreement was made not to proceed with the drilling program at this time. I would like to thank Gerle Gold for the time to hear and act upon Fort Providence's concern. I would also like to thank the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for his commitment to aboriginal organizations in the Northwest Territories in ensuring that they are more involved in the implementation of the northern accord.

I would also like to state that although I have seen a better relationship developing between the government and the aboriginal organizations, I still have a single concern regarding the implementation of the northern accord. The concern is that the land in the Northwest Territories receives priority consideration over the mining industry. The environment has always and will forever be the priority of the aboriginal people. Aboriginal people have a special relationship with the land.

Madam Speaker, can I get unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

Committee Motion 96-12(6): To Amend Five-year Capital Plan For Community Arena/rae Lakes, Carried November 10th, 1994

So there's not going to be a new arena. They're going to improve the existing one.

Committee Motion 96-12(6): To Amend Five-year Capital Plan For Community Arena/rae Lakes, Carried November 10th, 1994

What happens to the arena and the curling rink that now exists? Is that turned over the government as an asset, or does the community get to keep it and just get money from this government to make further improvements? What are the arrangements with regard to the old facilities?

Committee Motion 96-12(6): To Amend Five-year Capital Plan For Community Arena/rae Lakes, Carried November 10th, 1994

So the commitment is already made because Fort Smith has their portion already.

Committee Motion 96-12(6): To Amend Five-year Capital Plan For Community Arena/rae Lakes, Carried November 10th, 1994

Do you require the money up front before you will proceed with this project, or are you taking it on the basis that Fort Smith will be paying those costs? Is this $2.3 million

the whole of the project, or is that just part of the project? Maybe the project is $5 million and this is just part of it, and the rest Fort Smith is covering.

Committee Motion 96-12(6): To Amend Five-year Capital Plan For Community Arena/rae Lakes, Carried November 10th, 1994

As a tax-based municipality, how much of this is Fort Smith covering?

Committee Motion 96-12(6): To Amend Five-year Capital Plan For Community Arena/rae Lakes, Carried November 10th, 1994

I just want to know about the $2.3 million for Fort Smith. What exactly is this recreation centre? Is this the arena?

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates November 10th, 1994

I just want to remind the Minister that there is a need in Kakisa to have additional garages to store the equipment they have there. The government has invested quite a bit in equipment and vehicles in that community. You only have a two-bay garage and one of them is used for the fire fighting dry chemical vehicle. There are about four or five pieces of equipment that sit out while only one of them can be used at any given time. I just wanted to raise that concern because it certainly is a big investment and I would hate to see that investment depreciate because they are being exposed to the cold.

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates November 10th, 1994

Just for the record, Mr. Chairman, I get a bit confused when the definition "Deh Cho" is used out of context, if you want to call it that. It is either the constituency of Deh Cho or it isn't. If it is in the Fort Smith region, put Fort Smith various, so we eliminate the confusion. Quite frankly, I am disappointed. You didn't mention Providence, Kakisa or Hay River Reserve. I just want to make sure that maybe next year you will use something else instead of something that brings joy to my heart and then all the sudden it just drops.

---Laughter

Bill 1: Appropriation Act, No. 1, 1995-96Committee Report 10-12(6): Report On The Review Of The 1995-96 Capital Estimates November 10th, 1994

Okay then. Can I get details on the community plans, Deh Cho, $15,000 and road/site/land Deh Cho, various Fort Smith, $195,000?