Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I ask the questions on the Norman Wells reclamation to the Minister of ITI, and it includes a number of factors, and I wish not for the information to be relayed onto the two departments that are devolutionally responsible for land management, environmental resources, and so on. So if I can get some clarification on the questions that I asked? Number one is, everybody knows that Norman Wells has contributed a great wealth to the shareholders. The shareholders are the federal and the private shareholder, Imperial Oil, holding two-thirds and the feds holding one-third, and a significant amount of that contribution to the local, territorial, and federal economies have been produced by that particular location, and over the years of operation, we've seen a number of pre-devolution activities which contribute to the question.
Member for Sahtu, your question.
My question is that is the Minister of ITI willing to support an oversight committee to ensure that the property is cleaned and discussions are held for transfer of title? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is well aware, Esso has filed an interim closure reclamation plan. This is early days for this stuff. It's just to get out there and get some input on how the field may be shut down and get input into it, but Esso is still operating and it will continue to operate for a number of years to come, and I don't see the need for us to be getting involved with this just yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, a simple yes or no would have been appropriate so we can move on to creating some jobs for the reclamation, but, yes, I'm quite familiar with the activities in my area and the interim reclamation permit sought by the company. In taking a more proactive role in the responsibilities of devolution, I think we shouldn't sit back and wait. If we had –
Member, what is your second question, please?
My question is: are we going to get a yes or a no?
No.
Laughter
Okay. Well, would the Minister support, let's say, the other Department of Lands to initiate this operational oversight committee?
I can't speak for the Minister of Lands, so I suggest that the Member direct his question to the Minister of Lands on that.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
My last question. I'm surprised to see this government really not taking an active role in the responsibilities inherited on April 1, 2014. Let the listeners be judgmental of that come midterm review next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. I'll take that as a comment. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
