Mr. Speaker, supporting a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices is one of the main purposes of Forest Management Agreements.

The first two agreements were signed this year with Timberworks in Fort Resolution and Digaa Enterprises in Fort Providence, jointly owned Aboriginal development corporations in each community.

Timberworks is owned by the Deninu Kue First Nation and the Fort Resolution Métis Council and Digaa Enterprises is owned by the Deh Gáh Got’ie First Nation and the Fort Providence Métis Council

FORT PROVIDENCE (October 24, 2014) – Minister of Environment and Natural Resources J. Michael Miltenberger signed a Forest Management Agreement (FMA) for the community of Fort Providence today with Digaa Enterprises Limited President Michael Vandell and Director James Christie. Deh Gah Got’ie First Nation Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge, Fort Providence Métis President Clifford McLeod, Premier Bob McLeod and MLA Michael Nadli signed as witnesses. The FMA will provide business, employment and training opportunities in the forest industry for residents of Fort Providence.

YELLOWKNIFE (August 29, 2014) – Political leaders from Aboriginal Governments, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and wildlife management authorities met in Yellowknife this week to discuss the continued decline of the Bluenose-East and Bathurst barren ground caribou herds.

Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Minister J. Michael Miltenberger called the meeting after receiving results from the June 2014 reconnaissance surveys of the calving grounds for both herds.

YELLOWKNIFE (August 6, 2014) – North Slave communities are experiencing intermittent smoke issues due to ongoing fires in the region. Residents are advised to be aware of travel restrictions and health issues related to smoke. At this time no communities are being threatened by forest fires. The GNWT continues to work with our partners in community governments and local agencies to ensure public safety.

Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA)

YELLOWKNIFE (August 5, 2014) – Smoky conditions and reduced visibility from the Birch Lake fires and the fires north of Birch Lake, are significantly affecting travel between Yellowknife and Fort Providence. At this time no communities are being threatened by forest fires.

The GNWT continues to work with our partners in community governments and local agencies to ensure public safety.

Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA)

YELLOWKNIFE (July 31, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories has lifted its voluntary evacuation request for residents living along Highway #3 between Yellowknife and Kilometre 300.

YELLOWKNIFE (July 21, 2014) – Government of the Northwest Territories departments are working together with community governments and other organizations and agencies to monitor forest fire activity in the Northwest Territories and respond to potential threats to public safety, communities and critical infrastructure as required.

During this period of increased forest fire activity, individual departments are providing information on current activities through a variety of means, including on the Internet.

No change from the July 07 11:00 a.m. bulletin.

Local smoke conditions in Yellowknife could worsen this afternoon and later tonight.

Bulletins will be suspended until new information or conditions demand.

Residents:

For more information on wildfires please consult www.enr.gov.nt.ca and the NWT Fire Facebook page.

Media:
For more information on wildfires please call:

Environment and Natural Resources continue to assess and plan operations for the fire near Reid Lake. Today teams are preparing for a potential burnout operation. Conditions over the next few days will determine when the action can be conducted. This operation is intended to keep the fire from advancing south and west towards the Ingraham Trail and other values at risk.

High winds and extreme weather conditions on Friday, July 04 pushed a fire near Consolation Lake towards Reid Lake. This fire is currently 7.5 kilometres east of the Ingraham Trail.

Weather conditions on Saturday allowed for Environment and Natural Resources teams to assess the fire and plan further operations over the coming days. Additional resources from BC, Alaska and Saskatchewan will be supporting efforts.