Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Lands and have nothing to do with cannabis. I visited the old Esso tank farm adjacent to the Con Mine here in Yellowknife recently and found the site in a bad state. I even sent the Minister some rather nasty photos. Although the tanks are finally gone, some of the fencing is about to fall down, and the old mine tailings remain uncovered. Can the Minister tell us who is responsible for fixing the fence that is beginning to fall over at this site? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Lands.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The parcel of land that is known as the Esso tank farm is titled to in fee simple by Imperial Oil, so the condition of the site is the responsibility of Imperial Oil, including when they choose to remediate the site. The fencing also, as I understand it, belongs to Esso.
I would like to thank the Minister for that. This is not the first time I have raised the issue in the House, so can the Minister commit to picking up the phone and calling Imperial Oil about fixing the site out there?
I don't think I am going to be phoning Imperial Oil, but I do understand that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been communicating with Imperial Oil about the property during the demolition phase, so there has been contact between Imperial Oil and the GNWT.
I thank the Minister for that. I know I was a bit facetious, but the fence is about to fall over, and we don't want people getting in there and running around. When I was out at the site, there were also all-terrain vehicle tracks outside the fence, on bare mine tailings. It's not clear whether this is part of the road right-of-way or what. Can the Minister tell us: who is responsible for the remediation of the areas outside the fence, next to the road itself, as this material is being spread all over the place?
I understand that the roadway itself is on GNWT land, but the city maintains the road.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. Well, I appreciate the response from the Minister. Since this is GNWT land which is right next to the roadway itself, what are we doing, then, to deal with the tailings that are there? Because there are all-terrain vehicle tracks, and the stuff is being spread out. It's our responsibility. What is the Minister doing about it?
Yes, as I mentioned, the roadway is apparently owned by the GNWT. I perhaps can get back to the Member opposite after I have spoken with ENR also about this, as well as my own department. I think a more detailed response would be necessary. Thank you.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
