I appreciate the Minister’s response. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please elaborate that if mining and exploration does not continue to be supported by our government, what will be the potential impacts and effects on our fiscal situation?
We are also investing in strategic infrastructure, but we have done some significant analysis of the importance of mining, specifically diamond mining in the Northwest Territories, and our analysis shows that for every year that one diamond mine operates it's worth $250 million to our economy, so if one diamond mine closes, that is how much value is lost from our economy. If we have one that is shut down for care and maintenance, that’s had significant impact. It's 500 jobs that are lost. Our approach is to try to keep what we have and also try to attract exploration back into the Northwest Territories. It's very difficult to do, because the miners have long memories and their money has legs.
Oral questions. Final supplementary, Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you. This is my final question, and again I appreciate the Minister's reply. I wonder if the Minister would elaborate, aside from the mineral strategy, on what specific programs that we have in place for supporting mining and exploration.
We have a number of programs to help stimulate the mining industry. We have, as I said, the Mineral Development Strategy, which is a strategic plan to increase mineral exploration and mine development in order to ensure residents with a sustainable economy. We also have a Mining Incentive Program that provides partial support for junior mining companies and prospectors for exploration activities. This program has been oversubscribed since its launch two years ago and has been credited in several new mineral discoveries being made in the Northwest Territories. We also have introduced a two-year assessment work incentive to encourage more exploration activities. This program will provide a temporary incentive to assist the mineral exploration industry to maintain its mineral tenure through financially challenging times, and as I said, we are looking to utilize some of the federal infrastructure funding to provide some strategic investment so that it will make mining projects that have been approved more feasible and better able to access development funding.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled “Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following three documents entitled “Interim Estimates, 2016-2017”; “Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2015-2016”; and “Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2015-2016.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table two documents. The first one is from the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Bob McLeod, to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment. It's dated February 15, 2016, and I understand it was received by the Clerk's office at 5:18 p.m. It's about providing an update on the extension of the sunset clause for the Mackenzie Gas Project. The second document I'd like to table is from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment to the National Energy Board and the Office of the Oil and Gas Regulator, and it's dated February 15, 2016, and this was sent at 6:05 p.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. R.J. Simpson, be appointed as Deputy Speaker. At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Notices of motion. Member for Hay River North.
I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., and the honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Daniel McNeely, be appointed as deputy chairpersons of the Committee of the Whole.
Masi, Member for Hay River North. Notices of motion. Member for Frame Lake.
I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by making the following changes to Rule 89(2) by deleting the word “Infrastructure” and replacing it with the word “Environment” and by deleting the word “Programs” and replacing it with the word “Development”; and further, that Appendix 3, forming part of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly, be repealed and the following be substituted:
APPENDIX 3
COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment shall consider the following matters with respect to the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources; Industry, Tourism and Investment; Lands; Public Works and Services; and Transportation:
The Standing Committee on Government Operations shall consider the following matters with respect to the Departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations; Executive; Finance; Human Resources; and Municipal and Community Affairs:
review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies;
review departmental performance and official language issues, including that of boards and agencies;
review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the Statutory Officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Languages Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission;
examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Report of the Auditor General;
In the event that the Assembly is not in Session, the Speaker may provide the Auditor General’s Report and the Minister of Finance may provide the Public Accounts to the Committee for review, which may include public hearings, in advance of tabling; and
consider any other matter referred by the House.
The Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning shall:
review issues which have government-wide implications including all related to devolution, implementation, and the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;
review Government of the Northwest Territories reports on financial and performance results and program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;
coordinate Sessional business scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate Ministerial representatives;
coordinate Committee public consultation efforts with respect to budget and fiscal matters;
coordinate Committee strategic planning efforts;
monitor and evaluate Ministerial performance issues;
consider issues related to land claims and self-government negotiations;
consider issues related to public engagement and transparency efforts by standing and special committees;
consider issues related to federal and international relations; and
consider the budgets and financial management of any boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any Standing Committee; and
consider any other matter referred by the House.
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures shall:
review the reports of the Chief Electoral Officer on the conduct of elections, plebiscites, or votes conducted in the Northwest Territories in accordance with statute;
review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner;
review and make recommendations on the implications and impacts that the implementation of self-government agreements will have on the powers, structures and procedures of the Legislative Assembly; and
Inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker, or the Board of Management.
The Standing Committee on Social Development shall consider the following matters with respect to the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment; Health and Social Services; Justice; and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:
review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council and programs for seniors, youth and persons with disabilities;
review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies;
consider issues related to homelessness; and
consider any other matter referred by the House.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.
Masi, Member for Frame Lake. Notices of motions. Member for Hay River North.
I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion.
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O'Reilly, Mr. Testart, and Mr. Thompson be appointed to the Striking Committee of this Assembly.
At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.
Masi, Member for Hay River North. Notices of motion. Member for Deh Cho.
I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment:
Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;
Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;
Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Kam Lake;
Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, the Member for Nunakput;
Mr. Daniel McNeely, the Member for Sahtu; and
Mr. Cory Vanthuyne, the Member for Yellowknife North;
And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment as alternate members:
Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., the Member for Mackenzie Delta;
Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh; and
Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.
Masi, Member for Deh Cho. Notices of motion. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:
Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;
Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;
Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Kam Lake;
Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, the Member for Nunakput; and
Mr. Daniel McNeely, the Member for Sahtu.
And further, that the following members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations as alternate Members:
Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;
Ms. Julie Green, the Member for Yellowknife Centre; and
Mr. Cory Vanthuyne, the Member for Yellowknife North.
At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.
Masi, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Notices of motion. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures:
Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;
Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh;
Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh; and
The honourable Louis Sebert, the Member for Thebacha; and
Ms. Julie Green, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;
And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures as alternate members:
Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;
The honourable Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave; and
Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Kam Lake.
At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today
Masi, Member for Mackenzie Delta. Notices of motion. Member for Frame Lake.
I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife North, that the following Members are appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Development:
Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;
Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., the Member for Mackenzie Delta;
Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh;
Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh; and
Ms. Julie Green, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;
And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Development as alternate members:
Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;
Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, the Member for Nunakput; and
Mr. Daniel McNeely, the Member for Sahtu.
At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today
Masi, Member for Frame Lake. Notices of motion. Honourable Premier.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, February 22, 2016, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Tabled Document 1-18(2), The Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019 be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.
Masi. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with a motion given earlier today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue.
WHEREAS Section 46(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that the Legislative Assembly shall elect a Deputy Speaker;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly wishes to appoint a Deputy Speaker;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that the honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. R.J. Simpson, be appointed as Deputy Speaker. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Motion has been distributed. Motion is in order. To the motion.
