Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about arctic fisheries, and my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how is the GNWT monitoring the development of an agreement on the arctic fishery? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Any offshore fishing that takes place in that region can potentially affect fish stocks in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. My second question, Mr. Speaker, is how does the GNWT work with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans in areas such as fishery where there is some overlap in the resources that we manage?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, change in the ice coverage and the longer open water season means greater potential for commercial fishing in the Arctic. Ten stakeholder countries gathered in Iqaluit this past summer to negotiate measures for sustainable fishing in the Arctic Ocean and address dangers of unregulated and reported fishing that could deplete the fish stock.

Mr. Speaker, currently international law says that anyone can fish on the high seas. Mr. Speaker, for those who don't know what the high seas are, the high seas are waters 200 miles off the shoreline. The area most likely...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I spoke about Darnley Bay, and my questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister is what geological information has the GNWT collected about mineral deposits in Darnley Bay anomaly area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the Arctic's greatest mysteries lies under the surface of Darnley Bay; a large circular shape gravity anomaly near Paulatuk suggests very unusual geology and may be the result of an ancient meteor strike. Whatever its origin may be, Mr. Speaker, it's the largest gravity anomaly discovered in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, in 1969 the Geological Survey of Canada suggested the potential for massive deposits of nickel, copper and platinum minerals in that area, almost five times the size of the Sudbury Basin. Areas like the Sudbury Basin are proven to be one of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my final question is Darnley Bay is also the site of a proposed marine protected area. How would developing minerals interests and their sensitive ecosystems be balanced in a way that satisfies traditional land users, but also modern society's demand for mineral resources? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the clarification. Mr. Speaker, my second question to the Minister is how is the department engaged in monitoring mineral resource development projects and staying up-to-date on activities of junior mining companies?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize my constituency assistant Ora Mercredi, and also Mr. Stan Cochrane, who we worked together on the Darnley Bay project which I just mentioned earlier. So welcome to Stan. It is good to see you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Department of Finance consider amending the Non-consolidated Schedule of Bad Debt Write-offs, Forgiveness and Student Loan Remissions by removing the names of those who have received student loan remissions and reporting only the amount of the remissions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.