Louis Sebert

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Prairie Creek. The government is protected from historic liability at Canadian Zinc Prairie Creek Mine through the terms of the devolution agreement. I understand that Canadian Zinc, the proponent, has met all security requirements under its permits, licence, and authorization. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has set a total security amount at $17,700,000, which the company will be required to post in stages as the project proceeds. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I am sorry, Mr. Chair. That is the wilderness funding amount that was transferred into this portion of the budget at the request of committee. Thank you.

Yes, Mr. Chair. I do believe we do have those figures, so we can certainly provide them. Thank you.

Well, with respect to the criminal law cases, the courts, of course, go on circuit and at least in some of the communities I believe the lawyers go in a day or so early. Obviously, it's not ideal, but it is the system we've been using for many, many years. The courts do visit virtually every community, so certainly there couldn't have been community clinics in every community. At least when I was involved, we used to go up to Inuvik a day or so before court started so we could interview people. As I say, not the ideal circumstance, but we simply could not staff the clinic in Inuvik properly...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table to following document entitled "Government of the Northwest Territories' response to Motion 2718(2): A New Day Men's Healing Program." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I don't have that information before me, but I could look into it and supply the information to the Member opposite.

Mr. Speaker, the Northern Canada Power Corporation did in fact build the dam on the Taltson River at Twin Gorges. The dam was completed in 1965. I am sure that what the Member opposite has stated was likely the case in that there was little or no consultation with local residents. Of course, any expansion of the dam would involve an environmental assessment that would be very comprehensive and take a considerable amount of time. So times have changed and the requirements for these types of projects clearly have changed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I know that any complaints of the type mentioned by the Member opposite are treated seriously by the Power Corporation, are carefully considered, and promptly responded to. I think the Power Corporation, within its own staff, would have the ability to look into and respond to the questions of the type brought forward by the Member opposite. I don't think we'd be prepared to hire an independent scientist to look into this matter in view of the likely expense, which would have to be passed on to the ratepayers.

The dam at Twin Gorges on the Taltson is a runoftheriver dam, so the water either flows around the dam or through it, so it would have little impact on the river downstream. If there was something exceptional, of course, the Power Corporation should and I think would advise those who use the river.

Yes, I will look into it, and I think I can provide the Member opposite with some additional information. Of course, I can't directly affect the timing or the decision of the board. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.