Bob McLeod

I have always said that with devolution, we will devolve and evolve, and we will do exactly that. 

We have a process convention that has been agreed to on how we work and interact with the standing committees, and we would be very pleased to review and update it with the standing committees. 

We have worked with the Sahtu to do exactly that, whereby we have facilitated the federal government paying for cleanup of the parts of the Canol Trail and to actually provide funding for groups in the Sahtu to participate in the cleanup, and we would be prepared to do that once again, using federal funding.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to recognize the following visitors in the gallery: Paul Rowley, De Beers' executive vice-president of global sightholder sales; Kevin Goodrem, De Beers vice-president of beneficiation, global sightholder sales; and Simon O'Brien, diamond integrity manager, De Beers Canada Incorporated.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Tabled Document 1-18(2), The Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019 be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you.

We have a number of programs to help stimulate the mining industry. We have, as I said, the Mineral Development Strategy, which is a strategic plan to increase mineral exploration and mine development in order to ensure residents with a sustainable economy. We also have a Mining Incentive Program that provides partial support for junior mining companies and prospectors for exploration activities. This program has been oversubscribed since its launch two years ago and has been credited in several new mineral discoveries being made in the Northwest Territories. We also have introduced a two-year...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As everyone knows, mines are funded by exploration activities, so exploration is essential if we are to find new and bigger mines in our territory. We need to remember that our four diamond mines in the Northwest Territories were all found by junior explorers. In the economic downturn of 2008, which we never recovered from, we had in the neighbourhood of $180 million a year spent on mineral exploration. This past year, we're probably down around 20 million, maybe $28 million, and it's largely a function of the low commodity prices. The Member knows mining is the largest...

I will avoid that by having another minister assume the responsibilities as the oil and gas regulator. It has been assumed by Minister Louis Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can confirm that the Mackenzie Valley Natural Gas Project has been a priority for not only the 16th Legislative Assembly, but the 17th Legislative Assembly. With regards to the Mackenzie Gas Project Request for Extension to Sunset Clause, we do have a protocol for priorities that transcend from one Legislative Assembly to another, and we followed that protocol. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Canol Trail cleanup has been in the works for quite a few years now, as part of the Sahtu Land Claim. Those provisions provide for a Canol Trail park. Progress has been slow because of the fact that the land still has to be cleaned up by the Government of Canada before it will be transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories so that it can be turned into a park. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.