Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. I mentioned earlier today that we’ve had a string of bad news, mostly from the media, on the series of new crises at the Giant Mine site. The public has been the last to know, or perhaps the second last as I haven’t been seeing any information updating Members on the status and problems of this project. As both a fellow proponent and regulator, can the Minister say if the federal Northern Affairs department has been keeping his office updated on these developments?
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, as far as I know.
I acknowledge the answer. It’s not one that obviously builds a lot of confidence, if the Minister doesn’t even know if he’s being updated on this important project. To my knowledge this government has taken no public position on such crucial Giant Mine issues as independent oversight, ongoing research, or public reporting. Because of the way that DIAND is running this project, both as regulator and proponent, other governments find themselves in a curious position when it comes to the environmental assessment.
Given the dismal recent record of DIAND on public accountability and refusal to support investigation of independent oversight, it’s obvious that pressure needs to be applied to get this department to mend its ways and perhaps participate. What is the position of this government on the need for creation of an arm’s length and independent oversight body to monitor and review project planning and implementation?
I indicated to the Member that as far as I was aware, our department is part of the operation that oversees the Giant Mine. We have $27 million booked as our share and we have people at the right tables. We are, once again as far as I’m aware, from what I’m seeing, we’re engaged in those processes. If the Member is wanting to advocate for an alternative structure, I’d be happy to look at that.
Given that this government is also in a position of conflict as both regulator and proponent, as the Minister has mentioned, and the fact that we’ve got $27 million buried into this project, we need to take the high road.
Will the Minister commit to taking that high road and bringing independent oversight, as we would require for any other project that we are not both regulator and proponent on? An obvious conflict of interest.
As a matter of course, the Government of the Northwest Territories traditionally travels on the high road. This case is no different. I will discuss the issue with the deputy and officials and make sure, I’ll confirm for my own satisfaction whether or not we’re in conflict.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s commitment there. I want to note that even though time is running out for this mandate, our mandate, under current plans, the Giant Mine issue is never going to go away. The federal government needs to be put on notice now, that they must make fuller information more proactively available, starting with the supply of information to these Members.
Will the Minister make a formal request to the federal Minister for a full briefing and an opportunity for the Members of our next Assembly to direct questions at the proponent/regulators of this project?
I’m sure that will be part of the transition document and planning. I can indicate that the opportunity will be there. I can’t at this point commit the next Minister, whoever that may be, to that, but the Member knows that if a request for briefing is made, the government will comply.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
