Bill Braden

Mr. Chairman, I move we report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Miramar Mining Corporation, I think in a deal that worked I believe to their benefit as well to workers, continues to mine ore at the Giant property. It is milled at the Con property. I am wondering if the Minister could advise if Miramar is still planning on following their mine shutdown program and will they be stopping for good the mining of ore at the Giant property later this year? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To the topic of schools and planning schools, especially in Yellowknife. Now that we are on the record, I would like to add another comment that is becoming more and more evident. I think the Minister has mentioned that he has heard from three school boards in the city that are anticipating new schools. I count four. Then I would add the Arctic College campus for many years, I think since its inception, there has been talk of a campus. I guess my suggestion there is because we are looking at so many different institutions, potential institutions at such a cost and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. They concern the cleanup of the Giant Mine site. An issue that I believe has been out there since last year was a stall in discussions between our government and DIAND on responsibility for the surface cleanup at Giant Mine. I understand there are difficulties there with jurisdiction and potentially financing. Could the Minister advise on the status of our discussions with DIAND on responsibility for surface cleanup at Giant? Thank you.

I guess if it's a negotiated item as per a collective agreement, there is no discretion in this figure then, is that correct?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased last night to host an information session for Great Slave constituents and Yellowknife residents on the Tlicho land claim and self-government agreement. I was gratified to see on a cold evening, here in Yellowknife, an audience of about 30 people who came out representing a diversity of views and opinions. I would like to acknowledge the support, Mr. Speaker, of the Tlicho First Nation and James Wah-Shee, a former Member of this Assembly and now a senior advisor to his people, for his presentation and response to questions. As well, I would like to...

Okay. That opens up a number of areas, but they are probably more hypothetical and what I should do is wait until the strategy is brought forward, and then engage in that funding question. So that's all I have, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under the area here of culture, heritage and languages, the notes in the main estimates refer to the development of a northern arts strategy. This is something that is a carryover from the previous assembly, something that I've been looking forward to and so have dozens of organizations and hundreds of performers and volunteers in the arts area.

This is a joint approach, Mr. Chairman, between this department and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. I wanted to ask the Minister when we might see the actual completion of this strategy and the...

Another area of general interest under this area, Mr. Chairman, in advanced education and careers, is the need for us to somehow provide assistance to new Canadians in the area of English as a second language instruction. Can the Minister advise does the GNWT make this kind of training available through any of our institutions or perhaps indirectly through NGOs? What are we doing to help out new Canadians who need that kind of literacy help? Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, what are the trends here? Should we be looking at augmenting this $3,500 in the relatively near future? Are we keeping watch on this? Are we keeping tabs on it? Thank you.