SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A motion to establish a lobbyist registry that Premier Bob McLeod coined as "making a mountain out of a mole hill" carried on Feb. 19.
"We certainly agree that transparency is important and there's no reason why the public should not know with whom ministers are meeting and why," McLeod said.
"That information is available now upon request. There is nothing to hide. To date, we have not received any such requests."
The motion was put forward by Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny.
He suggested the government look into ways an online lobbyist registry could be used in the North.
In essence, lobbyists communicate with government in various influential ways, which Dolynny said is not a bad thing.
Lobbyist registries are commonplace in major cities in the south.
Dolynny gave the example of the City of Toronto, in particular.
"It's to the greater transparency of lobbying and the greater accountability of public officials where one needs to consider a tool that helps curb inappropriate influence to provide the public scrutiny for its elected decision-makers," said Dolynny.
The motion was seconded by Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli, and supported by all MLAs, excluding Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya, who abstained.
With cabinet members also abstaining, the motion carried, seeing a count of 10 in favour and eight abstentions.
Bromley seeks land lease moratorium extension
With public consultations held on land lease policies, Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley voiced concern over the squatters and land around the city that continues to be doled out through land leases.
Vulnerable areas were not protected by the moratorium placed on land along Highway 3 and the Ingraham Trail, Bromley said.
"This left Yellowknife Bay, which is being colonized at yet further loss to the Commons," said Bromley.
"With no restriction in this area, no recreational land use plan and no opportunity for public input on applications, leases are still being granted and the Commons eroded."
Bromley asked Robert C. McLeod, minister of lands to extend the moratorium to all new recreational land use permits in the territory, or at least in Yellowknife Bay.
Outside the area surrounding Yellowknife, McLeod said demand for land is not as great, so wouldn't require a moratorium.
Nonetheless, McLeod agreed concern over the land around the city has been expressed by constituents and said he would speak to officials on the issue.
Development of national park grabs MLA's attention
Citing the interest of her constituents, Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro questioned cabinet on the development of Thaidene Nene National Park on the east arm of Great Slave Lake.
The approximately 33,500-square-kilometre area was set aside from natural resource development in 2012. With devolution granting the GNWT new powers over land management, Bisaro questioned Michael Miltenberger, minister of environment and natural resources.
"I know there is lots of interest in this and we will be coming forward with a clear plan of what we intend to do as a government and Legislature in the next few weeks," said Miltenberger.
"Until then, people will have to be patient, but they do have to know that we see this as a priority."
Miltenberger characterized the government's plan for the proposed park as being minimally controlled by the federal government and protecting Northern interests by keeping the majority of control within the GNWT.
Information on the park will be provided to the public in the coming weeks, Miltenberger said, following a full rundown to cabinet.
