Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question is for ITI for the mining industry.
We know there is a set date for a couple of mines in the NWT to close. So with that in mind, I want to ask the Minister how is the Minister working with the mines and the Indigenous governments to support mine workers in this transition?
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Minister of ITI.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a crossdepartmental working group because we acknowledge that the impacts of the diamond mine closure date will have an impact on multiple departments. In addition, ITI has regular meetings and meets with Diavik, as have I. I've had four meetings now with Diavik in order to discuss multiple things, closure being one of them. And in the meetings with ITI, they discuss how Diavik is supporting its workers to ensure that we have an understanding of how many people we're talking about at the end of the day, and what they would like to do. And I'll wait for the Member's additional questions to provide more information. Thank you.
Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will ask this question anyways, and I know she likes to talk.
So, Mr. Speaker, our economy is depending on the mining sector. So what is the government doing to ensure the NWT economy can withstand this loss, this loss of labour, and economic development? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's a really big question. ITI is constantly working to support other sectors. As well we heard today in the budget address additional dollars going to film. That said, there is an absolute recognition that other sectors within the Northwest Territories do not even begin to replace our mineral resource development sector. And that being said, I think there is also it's also important to acknowledge that any other one of our mines do not replace a diamond mine. These are world class billion-dollar diamond mines being operated by huge international companies, and we have been incredibly lucky to be home to three of them over the last two and a half decades. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the NWT we need to retain these mining investments that we have, but the budget doesn't show any increase for mining support. How is the Minister encouraging the diamond mines we have to extend their operating life? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was just under $400,000 mentioned in the budget today that went towards finishing the regulations for the Mineral Resources Act. Our role as government is to create a landscape for development to happen. And in my role as the Minister of ITI, it's a role that I take very seriously and work hard with my colleagues across the floor in order to make sure that I'm keeping my ear to the ground and responding to industry as best as possible and making sure that I'm working with my colleagues to make changes that are being asked of me from the industry. That being said, Mr. Speaker, it's also I agree with the Member, it is crucial that we maintain the workers who are working at these mines who are Northerners. Our diamond mines have worked hard to make sure that they are providing learning and training opportunities to Northerners and mines have committed to ensuring that they are maintaining their socioeconomic agreements, maintaining their apprentices right up to the final days, and ensuring that they are working together as well so that when Diavik does close its doors, its skilled workforce migrates to, for example, other mines. Some people want to go work for Indigenous governments or for community hamlets. Some people might want to start their own business. And so the question is how do we, together, as Diavik and the Government of the Northwest Territories support residents to stay here, live in the territory, and do the jobs they want to do. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of ITI. Final supplementary. Member from Monfwi.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister attends conferences to support and development of mining industry in the NWT. Can the Minister describe to the House the outcomes from these conferences and how is the Minister supporting new mines and projects to come online? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Two questions, but I think the Minister can answer that question. Minister of ITI.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the House doesn't want me to speak forever so I'm going to keep this short. So how are we supporting mines? We are maintaining relationships with them. We have Pathfinders who support them in order to form relationships and understand our operating system. I have the opportunity to sit down with any industry partner that comes to the territory. I also report on those on our website that hosts all of our meetings so that we are transparent in those. I am from those conferences, sorry, I am meeting with mining companies, I am meeting with industry players, I'm I'm also hosting events, Mr. Speaker, where I'm bringing together industry and Indigenous governments and being trying to be a person who brings these relationships together and helps people understand who they need to talk to see some of these projects move forward. We're also supporting projects, so supporting projects to access federal funding. We, as ITI, do letters of support through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, for example. Sorry, I'm talking too fast, I'm getting excited. And then, Mr. Speaker, we also ensure that we are funding exploration through our mining incentive program. And we do what we can to make sure that we are supporting an environment for industry to come set up in the Northwest Territories, form relationships with Indigenous governments, and see a project through to a producing mine. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister for Education, Culture and Employment. Oral questions. Member from Sahtu.
