Statements in Debates

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up to my statement earlier, my questions today are to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Is the Minister or his department aware of the Astro gold property that I referred to earlier? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Promising gold find in the Sahtu region: Mr. Speaker, I am happy to highlight for my colleagues a new exploration discovery coming from the Sahtu Region.

It comes from Evrim Resources Corporation, a precious and base metals project generator who in January announced surface sampling results from their Astra gold project.

This project is joint between Evrim and Newmont Mining Corporation, one of the world's largest gold producers. It has led to the acquisition of a 23,250 square-kilometre prospective land package along the border of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 53)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question to the Minister: are there any plans for these two companies, Newmont and Evrim, to come into our capital in the near future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 53)

Thanks to the Minister for that reply and information here. It seems that there is some dialogue going back and forth, which sounds encouraging. My next question: what are Evrim's plans to keep the project moving forward?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 53)

Evrim's CEO recognized in the news release that the Astro project is located within the traditional territory of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim and stated that both Evrim and Newmont are committed to developing a positive and mutually beneficial relationship based on respect and transparency.

Mr. Speaker, the results reported by Evrim are encouraging, especially in a region that is known for its oil and gas. There are very few surface showings found anywhere in the world reporting this grade and width of gold. It speaks to the NWT's mineral potential in the Sahtu.

We are...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 52)

Good afternoon, colleagues. To the motion. We make status quo decisions every day in our homes, in our communities, community and regional leadership roles, and in this Legislative Assembly in what we can only deem hopefully would be in the best interest for those whom we serve.

Collectively, we possess the opportunity in researching, gathering, and seeking advice on the information that would assist during our decision making process. Concluding our decision is not an easy one to make, and not acceptable by some. However, we have shown leadership by deciding where we stand and what we believe...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

I am glad for that answer on the issue of promoting these two initiatives. In doing so, it will create inspiration to our youth that there is opportunity out there beyond post-secondary classes.

Our group is promoting a youth inspirational tour in the Sahtu sometime this spring, April or May. Can the Minister commit to providing some promotional brochures about the program and the criteria and so on, so that we can distribute the pamphlets during our Sahtu tour?

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my questions today, they are for the Minister of Finance on the Indigenous Career Pathways Program and the secondary program here, the Indigenous Management Development and Training Program, as well. My experiences have found that the Sahtu Region, with the government and the agencies, runs a workforce of 375 employees. Given that amount, in preparation for the readiness and awareness of these programs, can the Minister commit to the designing and promotion of a brochure for the delivery and awareness of these two programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thanks to the Minister for that reply. I find it very encouraging, the inspiration on these types of programs that we see in this institution, and sharing that with the smaller communities would really create awareness of the opportunities that are out there, but they all are subject to fulfilling your education and so on. It will encourage the youth to visualize themselves in taking over some of these opportunities as the age group of the workforce goes.

My next question is: after the development of this brochure campaign profile, can the Minister share that with the schools, the EAs, and...

Debates of , 18th Assembly, 3rd Session (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the gratifying experiences of this position is knowledge about programs and services and, coming from a small community, I can understand the need in designing funding applications for community development. Programs or initiatives tailored to our northern territory, more specifically education and training, is a fundamental process in management career security in our workforce readiness procedures.

Mr. Speaker, announced last October are two initiatives: number one, Indigenous Career Gateway Program; number two, Indigenous Management Development and...