Merci, monsieur le President. It was a difficult call today, but I guess I have to go with some questions on Mactung. These will be questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. When he was down in Vancouver for the Roundup Mining Conference, did he put all of his colleagues to work and have a big sign saying "Mactung for sale" on the GNWT booth down there? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
---Laughter
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, the sign said "unlock your potential; the NWT resources are for sale." All kidding aside, when we were down there, we had an opportunity, like I said last week in the House, to talk to a number of people, be it prospectors, finance companies, mining industry, potential mining companies. The Mactung property was also brought up in a conversation of where we are at with that property and what we are doing moving forward on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thanks for the response. Is there actually a plan to sell this property? The folks on this side of the House have not seen anything. Is there a plan? Is there a sale price? What is going on with this property? Can the Minister tell this side of the House what is going on?
At present, right now, the Department of ITI is working with the Northwest Territories Geological Survey and we are looking at expanding our geological knowledge on the Mactung property.
Thanks to the Minister for that response. During our review of the departmental budget in Committee of the Whole last year, I asked if we could have some folks go over there to take a look at the site for any potential environmental liabilities. Can the Minister tell this House whether, indeed, there was a visit to the site and what kind of environmental liabilities were found? Can he make that report public because it would have to be disclosed to any potential buyers?
The Department of Lands conducted a site assessment on the Mactung property in August 2016. Those results were actually shared with standing committee already.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the answer from the Minister. Great that it has been shared with this House, but can he make this report public? It would obviously have to be disclosed to any potential buyers for the site. What are the actual financial liabilities associated with the environmental issues with the property? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have to talk to my colleagues in the Department of Lands and see what information they can share. If it is possible, we will share that with committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
