Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 1-19(2), asked by the Member for Frame Lake on February 5, 2020, related to the Government of the Northwest Territories' participation in the Association for Mineral Exploration Roundup from January 18 to 23, 2020, in Vancouver.
This year's Roundup presented a timely opportunity for the GNWT to confirm and action the 19 Legislative Assembly's stated priority to increase resource exploration and development.
Cabinet Members, Indigenous governments, and government officials represented and promoted the Northwest Territories and used this opportunity to highlight that the GNWT recognizes the critical economic importance of realizing new mining projects.
The NWT delegation to this year's Roundup was led by myself in my role as Premier and Ministers Nokleby and Thompson. Senior officials, geoscientists with the Northwest Territories Geological Survey, marketing professionals, and support staff rounded out the delegation of 22 GNWT representatives. The total cost of air travel, accommodations, meals, incidentals, and transportation for the GNWT delegation was $70,753. No allowances were paid. All travel was economy class except in two flight segments where business class flight prices were lower by $130 and $277 respectively than available economy class seats.
Additionally, the GNWT supported the participation of 16 NWT regional Indigenous government representatives at a cost of $99,611 that includes $65,000 in air travel, accommodations, meals, incidentals, and transportation. Ensuring that Indigenous governments are represented at Roundup supports the NWT Mineral Development Strategy goal of enhancing Indigenous engagement and capacity and provides Indigenous governments with an opportunity to demonstrate their support for responsible resource development alongside the GNWT.
Roundup offered an opportunity to showcase to industry that support exists in the NWT for mineral exploration and mining, particularly within Indigenous governments and jurisdictions.
It also provided an opportunity to highlight that key infrastructure and mining projects are advancing and succeeding in our jurisdiction.
The NWT's trade show presence is an important component of GNWT participation at this event. Three booths showcasing the NWT's geology and geoscience, exploration and investment potential, and public infrastructure initiatives, along with four adjacent booths showcasing Indigenous governments and organizations, were part of the NWT trade show presence. The strategic location and positioning of these booths created a 'gathering place' which acted as a venue for networking opportunities, meetings and media events.
GNWT exhibition costs and affiliated registration fees totaled approximately $37,157. No consultant fees were paid. Registration costs totaling $1,124 were also paid for affiliated professional development opportunities that staff attended at the conference.
The GNWT supported and took part in a number of media and networking events to increase industry awareness of the NWT's investment environment and to promote the potential of NWT mineral resources. These included:
The annual NWT Night reception at which the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Indigenous leaders had an opportunity to address and network with 334 registered attendees, including industry representatives and other stakeholders.
The launch of regional mineral development strategies completed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council.
The signing of a commercial agreement for Det'on Cho Corporation to become the contracted miner for the Cheetah Resources Ltd. Nechalacho rare earth elements project.
An Indigenous business panel discussion focused on capacity building and participation in the exploration and mining sectors.
A coffee gathering with NWT leaders.
A lunch for NWT students enrolled in post-secondary education programs in the British Columbia lower mainland area.
The launch of the Invest Canada North Campaign (a partnered three-year marketing and promotion initiative in collaboration with Canada, Yukon, Nunavut, and companies investing in the North).
The costs associated with hosting or supporting these events totaled $52,842.
The total GNWT cost, including supporting Indigenous participation at Roundup, was $261,488. This is a decrease compared to the previous years' expenditures of approximately $286,389 in 2019, and $277,530 in 2018.
Roundup is regarded as Canada's premier gathering event for individuals, companies, and jurisdictions interested in advancing exploration and mineral development projects. It is well attended by the mining sector's junior exploration companies and their financiers and is heavily leveraged by competing mining jurisdictions.
Roundup continues to be a core event for the GNWT to convene valuable face-to-face meetings with key industry representatives, Indigenous governments, and leaders and officials from other jurisdictions. The event helps to advance a key pillar of the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
