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Legislative Assembly briefs 2013-14 budget gets the go-ahead Laura Busch Northern News Services Published Monday, March 18, 2013 The budget, and the six amendment acts that add money to the infrastructure budget approved last fall, was given royal assent by NWT Commissioner George Tuccaro to mark the end of the spring session.
In response to concerns raised by regular members in committee, just 0.5 per cent of the budget was changed in order to gather enough support to pass.
Territory needs a highway emergency plan: Nadli
A motion urging the government to improve ground ambulance services and create a highway rescue services plan was passed through the legislative assembly March 14.
The motion, which was introduced by Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli and seconded by Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny, received the support of all 11 regular members. Cabinet abstained from voting.
"Essentially, this motions asks for the establishment of ambulances and, at the same time, higher rescue services to deal with people that are in distress - either in communities or the highway," said Nadli.
Premier Bob McLeod and his cabinet have 120 days to provide a detailed response to the motion.
Barren ground caribou harvest plans underway
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources received "good news" from the Government of Nunavut in the form of population results from the June 2011 surveys of the Beverly and Ahiak caribou herds, said Minister Michael Miltenberger March 12.
The Beverly herd was counted at 124,000, down from an estimated 276,000 animals measured in 1994 and has shifted its calving area 200 to 300 kilometres north of its historical calving grounds, he said.
The Ahiak herd was measured at 83,000 animals.
These population estimates are enough for the department to put together proposals, to be reviewed by the relevant management boards, for limited resident harvests of the Beverly, Ahiak and Bluenose East herds.
The goal of the department is to have guidelines for aboriginal harvests and limited resident harvests in place for the fall hunting season, said department spokesperson Judy McLinton. However, this depends entirely on the wildlife management boards.
Wildlife Act goes to committee
The clock ran out on this sitting of the 17th legislative assembly before the new Wildlife Act could be debated in committee of the whole.
The act received second reading on March 5 and was sent to committee on that date. If passed, it will replace the current Wildlife Act.
In order to pass, it will need to be debated and passed through committee of the whole, after which it can receive third reading and be made into law by NWT Commissioner George Tuccaro.
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