David Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, getting back to the head injuries, DOT does not regulate the use of helmets for uses like with snowmobiles, bicycles, skateboards or ice skates, in-line skates or skis. That is left up to the municipalities to deal with and that’s how that’s completed.

On a going-forward basis, DOT has initiatives under the Healthy Choices Framework. I know the Member talked of the Use Your Head Campaign that was used last year with a commercial with an Aboriginal elder wearing a helmet, a public awareness campaign. We also help with giving out funding to communities outside of...

There wasn’t a competition, no. The stipulation for interest earned through the NWT Opportunities Fund was to be earmarked for economic opportunities and pursuits in the territory. We are currently putting together a proposal through FMB to look at what we do with the remaining balance that’s there. As soon as we get that proposal complete, we’d certainly look at taking it to FMB and Members will also get to see that proposal.

It was a payment when the government decided to roll up the NWT Opportunities Fund. That loan came back and the interest that accrued on it was in the account. So, yes, the answer would be yes.

Thank you, Madam Chair. That would be as a result of a one-time exit of interest earned through the NWT Opportunities Fund, but for a more detailed response, we can go to the deputy minister.

That’s exactly what this exercise is about, is to hear those views and get people involved. We are going to get diverging views on this, but this is part of the process and I think we just have to let it play itself out, get out, talk to the stakeholders, talk to the public and see where we go from there. The fact of the matter remains that the Northwest Territories is very well-endowed when it comes to straight-up resource potential, whether it’s minerals or oil and gas, and it’s all in how we manage those resources. Having this Mineral Development Strategy is part of getting us where we need...

Thank you, Madam Chair. To my left is Mr. Peter Vician, deputy minister of ITI, and to my right is Ms. Nancy Magrum, director of shared services, finance and administration for ITI and Environment and Natural Resources. Thank you.

I think I remember hearing somebody else say the exact same thing that Mr. Bromley mentioned, a certain MP from around here.

Getting back to Mr. Bromley’s point, we have to use the devolution process. I think once devolution is upon us – the jurisdiction’s currently with the federal government – this Legislature, at some point in time, is going to be able to make decisions like the ones that Mr. Bromley talks about.

When it comes to the Mineral Development Strategy, I think it’s very important to realize that currently, when a deposit is discovered and it’s deemed economically viable to pursue...

Avalon has gone out. I know they have an IBA in place with the community of Fort Resolution. For us, it’s through the socio-economic agreements and, again, we are negotiating an agreement with Avalon that would see maximized benefits for local businesses and people on jobs and business opportunities associated with both the operation at Thor Lake, the mine itself, and the hydromet facility south of the lake. We’re working on that and we will continue to try to get the best deal for Northerners. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I thank the Member for his concern and his questions regarding the secondary industry. In my time as a Member of this House, I’ve always had the belief in the industry. The bottom fell out in 2008-2009. We went from having factories to having nothing, and certainly, with the sale of these two factories, we’ve got an agreement on the polar bear, we’ve got somebody who is very passionate about rebirth of the industry and reviving this industry in Deepak International. We are very excited about the future of the secondary industry here in the Northwest Territories, and...

Thank you. We’ve done a number of things. In the South Slave ITI office, we’ve looked at a feasibility study for a limestone quarry in the south part of the Northwest Territories that would help in supplying limestone to the potential hydromet facility at the old Pine Point mine site. We continue negotiations, as I mentioned, on a socio-economic agreement. We’re looking at the establishment of a special economic zone in the old Pine Point mine site. I know the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline preparedness office or petroleum planning office now in Hay River has also done a preliminary examination on...