Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Without question, the recent announcement of the draft Protected Areas Strategy caught the resource industry by surprise with clear word from the resource industry that the Northwest Territories was no longer safe to do business with. My questions today are for the Premier.
Can the Premier indicate how does this recent unchecked announcement from the Premier’s Cabinet as a goal to conserve 40 percent of NWT’s land mass support his vision of a strong and prosperous territory? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a Member, he’s been around a long time and should know we have had a Protected Areas Strategy that was developed in the 1990s. When devolution occurred, we devolved and evolved and we’ve taken that Protected Areas Strategy and reviewed it and served our northern priorities. It is a draft document and those have been put out for discussion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Premier is quoted, “We need a solid framework on which to build this potential. The Mineral Development Strategy is that framework.”
So, to the Premier: How is limiting up to 40 percent of land going to support an increase in mineral exploration? Thank you.
The appropriate term is “balanced development.” We’ve always said that we would have development while protecting the land and environment at the same time. With the draft Conservation Strategy, it allows for up to 80 percent for development. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Premier is also quoted in the Mineral Development Strategy: “The new strategy represents a commitment. The NWT is serious about addressing our investment challenges and unlocking the mineral potential of the territory.”
Can the Premier share with the House, how does this draft Protected Areas Strategy not conflict with our ability to unlock dismal mineral exploration numbers? Thank you.
We have quite a number of strategies. We finished the Economic Opportunities Strategy, Mineral Development Strategy that the Member is referring to. We also have a Land Use Strategy Framework, and the Member knows that the lack of investment or the downward turn in mineral exploration is something that’s happened across the world. It’s an international problem.
I have said many times that we will have balanced development. A priority is to settle land claims, and there will be up to 80 percent of land available to development when it is all said and done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The recent draft Protected Areas Strategy has been deemed by some as a clear indication of this government: we are closed for business. If indeed some truth, Mr. Speaker, what is the Premier prepared to do within our limited time in the 17th Assembly to correct this characterization of his government? Thank you.
We have been working with a very large group in developing this draft plan, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise to anybody. We’ve reached out and had a number of meetings with the Chamber of Mines, Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. Also, we have to keep in mind that settling the land claims is very important. We want to do it as quickly as possible. There’s 144,000 square kilometres of land as part of the interim land withdrawal, and once those land claims are settled there’ll be additional land available. As I said, it’s a draft document and it’ll be a transition document and it will be dealt with the 18th Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
