Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has long been recognized as a land rich in resource potential. One of the priorities of this Assembly is to strengthen and diversify the economy, and as part of that priority, we identified the need to have a comprehensive, environmentally sustainable Mineral Development Strategy in place.
Mr. Speaker, as with the Economic Opportunities Strategy I spoke about yesterday, the Mineral Development Strategy is part of a bigger picture. It complements other initiatives the GNWT is undertaking, such as the Economic Opportunities Strategy, and other linked initiatives such as the Land Use and Sustainability Framework and a Northwest Territories Anti-Poverty Strategy.
It will also be closely integrated with the NWT Energy Plan. Both energy development and mineral development share the same key challenge: a lack of infrastructure across the territory. Affordable energy provision and mineral development needs infrastructure.
I am pleased to report that the Mineral Development Strategy is well underway and will play a key role in helping our communities to be sustainable, vibrant and free from poverty.
It was officially launched just a couple of weeks ago at the 2013 Mineral Exploration Roundup in Vancouver. This is the world’s leading technical mineral exploration conference and gave us the opportunity to signal to thousands of potential investors that we are ready to do business.
While the NWT has vast potential as an untapped source of diamonds, gold, rare earths and other minerals, attracting investment to the territory has sometimes been a challenge. We are aware that the complex regulatory process has often meant potential investors think twice before heading north.
But even so, mineral development is the backbone of the NWT economy.
Our four producing mines contribute $770 million in spending every year and employ more than 3,000 people. We want to ensure mineral development continues to play an important role in our economy and ensure the industry remains one of the largest employers of NWT residents. Our strategy will provide a framework to ensure our mineral resources continue to be developed in a sustainable way that benefits NWT residents and upholds our commitment to protect the environment.
By taking steps to develop a clear policy and direction for mineral development in the NWT, the GNWT is making a solid commitment to strengthening and diversifying our economy.
To advance the strategy, we produced a discussion paper to encourage a public conversation about our mineral development industry. This was distributed at the launch event and has already been sent to people and businesses throughout the territory that have a stake in the industry. It is also available on the ITI website and we are looking for responses from the public.
To encourage this conversation, I have appointed a three-person expert advisory panel to travel throughout the territory and to consult with other stakeholders around Canada. They are gathering feedback and will provide recommendations on drafting the final strategy. We expect to have the strategy completed by June.
Meetings took place in Yellowknife all last week, and Norman Wells and Inuvik this week. The panel is meeting with representatives and executives from diamond mining and mineral exploration companies, industry, training and educational institutions, Aboriginal organizations, local governments and local community organizations, as well as local chambers of commerce.
We have already received valuable input and recommendations about what a final Mineral Development Strategy should contain, and expect to receive even more as these meetings continue.
Our most important stakeholders are those that work in the mineral development sector on an everyday basis. They are the ones who make those initial investments that eventually benefit us all. We have entered into a partnership with the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines to make sure that the strategy is comprehensive and that all key stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their input. I look forward to continuing this discussion in the months ahead. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Abernethy.
