Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ITI. In my Member’s statement today, I spoke about the need for our government to encourage investment in mineral exploration in the territory. It is an important way to encourage the growth of employment for Northerners and of course, wealth in the territory, but a recent media release from the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines last week called for changes. It says that time, transparency, and certainty around permit approvals for exploration projects is causing exploration companies to have lower confidence in an already high-risk endeavour. Could the Minister tell us what steps the GNWT is taking to help reduce the lengthy timeframes that companies have to wait to receive permits for exploration? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Minister of ITI, we take these reports very seriously as our exploration and mining industry depends on being able to obtain permits in a timely manner. Of course, this is a concern for the Government of the Northwest Territories and proof that we need to improve on and streamline our policies, and make the necessary changes in order to attract and reinvigorate our mining and exploration sector.
We are also committed to regulatory streamlining. One of next steps in our process of devolution and evolution is to examine our legislation and related processes in support of mineral resources to ensure that they meet the needs and priorities of our territory. With devolution, the Government of the Northwest Territories is now in a better position to address industry concerns and work with our land management partners to improve regulatory processes.
We also have to remember that a key piece of our regulatory framework still rests with the Government of Canada, such as the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. The Department of Lands has lead responsibility for regulatory reform. During devolution, we agreed with the government of the day that they would review the MVRMA within five years and we would make a representation to move that up faster with this new Government of Canada. It is not a quick or easy process. We have also committed to developing a new, leading edge Mineral Resources Act in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you to the Minister for his answer. According to the release, on the ability for exploration companies to understand the rules and how they are applied, the NWT emerged with the poorest rating. Could the Minister please explain for this House what action the GNWT is taking to make process and procedures clearer and more transparent for applicants?
The Northwest Territories also ranks in the top in the survey for mineral potential. We have the right building blocks and are committed to providing increasing certainty for industry and other parties. We are looking at a combination of legislative amendments, regulations, and strategic policy to achieve a responsible, sustainable, and balanced approach to industrial land use moving forward. The Government of the Northwest Territories will work with stakeholders as the government evolves with this new devolved responsibility, keeping a transparent process underway.
Thanks again to the Minister. It is good to hear that we have the right building blocks to build certainty because that kind of encompasses my next question. Lastly, the statement from the Chamber of Mines says that almost one third of mining companies feel “low to no confidence” that their exploration applications will be granted. How will the GNWT rebuild certainty and encourage industry to maintain and increase their investments in the territory?
As a government, we recognize that it is very important to develop confidence. We have been working very hard at it to gain the confidence of the industry. We know the importance of exploration in the Northwest Territories. Those people that are filling out these surveys, like the Fraser Institute, have long memories. Some of them have been in the North a long time ago and haven't been back since. But we’ve done a lot of work in this area.
We have developed a Mineral Development Strategy, which is a strategic plan to increase mineral exploration and mine development in order to ensure residents with a sustainable economy. Some of the ways that we are encouraging exploration is through the Mining Incentive Program where we spend $400,000 a year. We also have an Assessment Work Incentive, developing a regulatory roadmap for explorers; development of a Mineral Resources Act, as I said already; education and awareness, ensuring that our residents understand all aspects of the mineral industry in the Northwest Territories, and investment in infrastructure. As Minister of ITI, we contribute to the studies being conducted by the Department of Transportation in this regard. We are very heartened by the federal government's stated plans to invest in infrastructure in the North and throughout Canada. We see this investment in strategic infrastructure as very important in helping us gain more confidence for investors to come to the Northwest Territories.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
