Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke again about an important project that's going on in the riding of Yellowknife North, and that's the Giant Mine Remediation Project. I would like to maybe start with asking the Minister of ENR a couple of questions. We often realize that this is a project managed by the federal government, so the public is always wondering exactly what role, if any, that the Government of the Northwest Territories has in this project. I would like to ask the Minister: does the GNWT retain any ownership in management of the surface lands at Giant Mine during or after the remediation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, the lands are Commissioner's lands, and the remediation project is operating under a land reserve to Canada. Discussions regarding future land ownership are under way.
Thank you to the Minister for his reply. I would also like to ask the Minister what role the GNWT has played in the surface remediation, and how it's protecting the interests of stakeholders such as those that I've mentioned earlier, the Great Slave Cruising Club and the Yellowknife Historical Society? Even the City of Yellowknife has interest there, as well.
The Giant Mine Remediation Project, they meet regularly with the NWT Historical Society and the Great Slave Sailing Club and discuss issues concerning impacts on both subleases by the Giant Mine Remediation Project. The Giant Mine Remediation Project will continue to work with both the NWT Historical Society and the Great Slave Sailing Club to accommodate access to their operations wherever feasible throughout the remediation project.
Thank you to the Minister for his reply. We know that, right now, the Land and Water Board is going through a process. They're accepting submissions and will be having a public hearing at some point in the future. I would just like to ask the Minister if he knows what role, if any, will the GNWT play in the upcoming Giant Mine water licensing?
The GNWT is a co-proponent in the Giant Mine Remediation Project, and we will continue to work with Canada through the water licensing process.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The remediation plan proposes significant quarrying along the public highway known as Ingraham Trail, and this could potentially have adverse effects on altering the aesthetics of the gateway into the Ingraham Trail. I'd like to ask the Minister: what is ENR doing to ensure quarrying needs are done in a way that will not provide a destroyed landscape to those who travel and traverse the trail?
Again, we will work with the project team to try and mitigate as much as possible access and that to the residents who use the site. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
