Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to make sure I have the right park when I go to see which one this is. But the deputy minister might now offhand immediately which one it is so let me turn to her, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, let me direct that to the deputy minister, please.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I think NWT Tourism, who has a funding portfolio for bringing up conferences, would probably love to have that conversation. So let's commit to having the conversation and seeing where that can go. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, because the Ingraham Trail itself up to and including right to the end, the area around Tibbitt Lake that the MLA is mentioning, is not a park, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment doesn't have any sort of authority or control over that space. To the extent that there may be room for a pullout or parking or some other sort of highway or roadway facilities, that'll be a question to direct to the Department of Infrastructure. As folks may be aware here, and you'll recall the Department of Infrastructure and ITI do often work together to see that...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, it is a conversation that I will have to have more with Minister Archie and my counterparts, her and her counterparts, over in the Department of Infrastructure, and then more importantly with our colleagues over in the federal government and the Department of Transport. They are responsible for regulating the airship industry and that will be certainly a first point of call before we are ever likely to get far head.

But to the extent that cold weather testing of various aviation products is out and is of interest to them, so once this idea does get to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, "discussion", I think probably better characterizes the process here. So, I mean, again, there has been work being done with the intergovernmental council and the working groups there around the development of all aspects of the Mineral Resources Act. There is an open portal right now for people to express if they have particular concerns or particular questions, and particularly if they want a more technical briefing that is certainly a route by which to request that. And as we obviously get further in on any of these various items, we'll be bringing those to the...

Mr. Speaker, the value and potential of achieving greater economic diversification across the Northwest Territories has been talked about over the course of many years and multiple governments. The need to have that conversation meaningfully has never been greater. Even as we work to support new mineral resource exploration and development, the reality is that our existing economic drivers in the form of the diamond mines are approaching planned closure. We must face that prospect on all fronts, including economic diversification.

The fact that this conversation has been had, and that success...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, determining any associated fees with the new Mineral Resources Act and the various processes therein, then obviously determining the cost associated is part of the development. So point taken, that we could consider if cost recovery is feasible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think where we're going with this, Mr. Chair, is with respect to communities within Tu NedheWiilideh, and there are no parks capital projects for 20232024 planned in the community of Lutselk'e or Fort Resolution if that is ultimately where this is going. And if not, I apologize. Thank you, Mr. Chair.