Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the circumstances of the time for the NWT kind of moving toward devolution, at the same time, economically speaking, we’re trying to develop a strategy. Part of that is to develop a mining strategy. My question is to the Minister of ITI.
Given the concerns raised about free entry mining system in the Yukon and elsewhere, has this government started any research into what we will need to do to make sure the NWT mining legislation reflects the duty to consult with First Nations?
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. David Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories is monitoring the situation in the Yukon. We have to continue to analyze the implications of this decision over the next little while, and we certainly have to be cognizant of the implications that it could have here in the Northwest Territories. We are following this and we are paying close attention to what’s happening in the Yukon.
Has this government started any research on what alternative approaches to the mining regulations are out there other than the free entry system?
As I mentioned to MLA Nadli earlier, we continue to analyze this decision. We have to make sure that we know what the full implications are of that decision, and of course, the Government of the Yukon has appealed. We are following this along as it happens, and we need to pay very close attention to decisions that are made in the Yukon and how they may impact us here in the NWT.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Ms. Bisaro.
