Tom Beaulieu

On the viability of continuing to put a road in to the diamond mines, that is not something I am opposed to, but I think that this road might have more benefits to a complete road all the way up the Slave Geological at this time, although I am not in here prepared to talk against a road into the Slave Geological, but it is my opinion that the road into the Thor Lake would be something that is viable. I would like to ask the Minister if the Minister would take the step of consulting with the company to see what their feeling is on an all-season road that will run down from Ingraham Trail to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if during his discussion there was any feel for whether or not they will go beyond this small-scale mining operation that they are planning now? They must be doing it because of the current situation with rare earths right across the globe. I am wondering if the Minister had any indication whether or not the company wants to move beyond a small-scale mining operation?

Does the Minister know if that company has any discussions or any engagements at all with the Aboriginal groups, Indigenous groups in the area, specifically I think maybe Lutselk'e, YK Dene, and Fort Resolution?

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about a resource development project that has been in the works for the last several years within the riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The project that I am referring to is the Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, which is located 100 kilometres southeast of Yellowknife at Thor Lake.

Mr. Speaker, this project is a unique economic opportunity for not only the NWT, but for our country and our global allies. I say this because currently there are no such resource development projects that exist anywhere in North America. That is...

Has the Minister at any point during his discussions gotten into what might make that project viable and what might get that project started with the company?

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I made a Member's statement on Avalon rare earth resources. I have questions for the Minister of ITI. I would like to ask the Minister if the Minister has been engaged in any discussion with the mining company that is hoping to continue or start operations at Thor Lake? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, committee would like to consider Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process, and Minister's Statement 103-18(3), Marine Transportation Services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is an interesting answer from the Minister. The Minister talked about maybe an idea of debundling crushing, so if that is the case, does the Minister see something like crushing material for a highway as more of a manufacturing? Is it something that adds value, added value for the Northwest Territories? Would crushing be considered a northern manufactured product? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I realize that there have been adjustments to the BIP policy. I would like to ask the Minister if there would be any consideration to increasing that lower threshold. Right now, my understanding is that at about $1 million, you could have a 15 percent advantage, 20 percent advantage, but, once you get over that, then I think the preference is minor. The presence may be 3 percent, 2 percent, or a very low percentage at the end of the day. I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider again looking at that to increase that amount to try to ensure that the money stays in the North. Right...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if the government would look at subsidies based on the remoteness of the communities, or maybe based on income, or maybe based on the fact that individuals are hunting for elders and so on, if there would be any subsidies at all involved in this whole carbon tax scheme? Thank you.