Wally Schumann

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Grants and Contributions Results Report 2015-2016." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have the Mineral Development Strategy, which provides the GNWT with clear direction on a large number of programs and activities that benefit the NWT economy, and when commodity prices rebound we will be looking towards that. Within ITI, both the mineral incentive program and the exploration incentive program provides various forms of support to help these companies participate in the Northwest Territories and be active.

It's also critical that we encourage companies to continue their exploration efforts in the territory and provide them with the information they need. ITI is well-equipped...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No mineral deposits have been discovered in the anomaly area, but, as the Member knows, Darnley Bay Resources has reported diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes there on the Parry Peninsula just northwest of there. Unfortunately, as the Member stated in his statement today, the drilling at Darnley Bay has not been able to determine what the anomaly actually represents and it's, you know, supposedly a very significant one. Mineral resources, what is contained there, will not be known until we are able to drill the area. But to get back to his question, ITI's Northwest...

As the Member knows, the Government of the Northwest Territories is very supportive of the marine conservation area along the east and north coast of the Parry Peninsula, and we continue to work on that. This marine protected area, once established, will have numerous regulations in place that are expected to provide the balance that the Member speaks of here today in the House. It's encouraging to know that the conservation goals of these regulations have been developing using traditional local knowledge, so that's very important.

The regulations also consider the economic needs of the region...

The Mineral Resource Division and the NWT Geological Survey both follow mineral development projects in the Northwest Territories and speak often with junior mining companies throughout the NWT. These divisions also monitor press releases by junior mining companies and compile a report. This report, though, is actually put out by the Mineral Exploration Overview and it's produced by the NWT Geological Survey. In addition, companies and prospectors regularly contact the staff at the Mining Recorder's Office, so we're in contact with junior mining companies in that manner.

Also, as early as this...

As the Member stated, the community of Fort Providence is reengaged with Aurora Wood Pellets. These negotiations are ongoing and they're proprietary information. We can't get into those details to share with the Member, but I can reassure him that the Government of the Northwest Territories, as well as the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and ENR, are working closely with the proponents to get this project under way.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize all the members of the Northwest Territories Association of Communities. I'd like to single out Donna Lee Jungkind, the deputy mayor of Hay River, and also Craig McMaster, the mayor of Enterprise. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update on the Department of Transportation’s research and development activities into adapting our transportation infrastructure to the effects of climate change. Increasing our knowledge and better understanding how climate change affects infrastructure is a step in developing adaptation strategies.

The scientific information gathered through the climate change research has already made a difference in northern infrastructure planning, design, construction and maintenance and will be a game-changer in the future.

We can already see climate change...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Tourism 2020: Opening our Spectacular Home to the World."

ITI's role, as I've said, in this whole project is to help facilitate to create regional economic development opportunities and local employment. We are working closely, like I said, with ENR and the proponent and Aurora Wood Pellets. Aurora Wood Pellets has moved this project along without any resources from the Government of the Northwest Territories.

We continue to work with both FMA holders to bring this project to reality, as we believe it will bring substantial economic opportunities to the South Slave region, and particularly the three communities of Fort Providence, Enterprise, and Fort...