Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to direct my line of questioning today to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. When applications are made for exploration rights within the Northwest Territories, I’d like to ask the Minister if he’s aware of any environmental plans that have to go along with these applications.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Minister Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re involved with the processes directly on the land. Yes, there are comprehensive plans. There’s a very rigorous regulatory process that has to be followed.
I’d like to ask the Minister if the Department of ENR monitors environmental plans and the work that goes on with the exploration companies.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, we do.
I’d like to ask the Minister if we have the capabilities to monitor environmental concerns without outside interference.
Clearly, we’ve evolved and matured as a jurisdiction over the years. We’ve built up our capability in the North. We work closely with industry, but we also work closely with Indian Affairs and the federal government, as well as the aboriginal governments. I believe — all the complaints about timeliness aside — that we have that ability.
Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.
I’d like to ask the Minister who would have the final approval on environmental plans that go along with the exploration rights. Is it the Government of the Northwest Territories or the Government of Canada?
It generally goes forward with the responsible Ministers — the appropriate Minister from the Northwest Territories as well as from the federal government. In this case it would be myself as the Minister and then generally the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.
Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
