Debates of June 23, 2016 (day 24)

Date
June
23
2016
Session
18th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
24
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Blake, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Ms. Julie Green, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Hon. Alfred Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O’Reilly, Hon. Wally Schumann, Hon. Louis Sebert, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vanthuyne
Topics
Statements

Question 266-18(2): Significant Discovery Licences in Sahtu Region

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my question is addressed to the Minister responsible for OROGO on the activities to date in that area with regard to the expiration licence acquired by the Sahtu Explorer's Group here several years ago, particularly in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. I ask the Minister to date what is the status of the significant discovery licenses that have recently been issued if any? If I could get an update on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Masi. I believe the question is to the Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, significant discovery declarations do fall within responsibility of OROGO, but significant discovery licence are obtained from ITI, so I'm not sure whether the Minister of ITI would like to respond to that portion of the question. I can advise that there has not been much significant activity of any kind in the Member's constituency or throughout the Northwest Territories in the last couple of years since these matters were devolved to us.

My next question is in trying to understand the opportunities available with the tenures that were recently done at that time to see if any land monitoring opportunities to see if these applicants or these developers are in compliance with their tenures in creating opportunities to maintain these licenses. That's sort of where I'm going with the question. So my next question is would the Minister provide a briefing on the update of the current licenses to be issued SDLs if there is any?

Mr. Speaker, I don’t like to make commitments for other Ministers, SDLs would be handled by the Department of ITI and perhaps the question could be more appropriately addressed to that Minister.

I'll leave that question to the other side to decide which one I'm going to get a response from.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Masi. I think that was a comment to executive. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.