Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Zoe on December 3 in regard to the benefits of an EDA agreement in the North Slave region.
Mr. Speaker, four mineral initiative projects were run in the North Slave region. The four programs are the prospectors' assistance program, information program, technology program and geoscience program. A prospectors' course was taught in Rae-Edzo last year with the support of the Dogrib Tribal Council. Twelve residents from that region graduated from the course and, as a result, at least three have found employment with the mining industry. The information program develops and provides teaching materials for NWT schools and these materials help students learn about geology and mining, including employment opportunities.
The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and mineral initiatives staff assisted with teaching geology at the Science Institute summer school near Rae-Edzo. Projects of the technology program are provided to investigate new technologies that will improve the environmental performance of mines in the Northwest Territories. One of these projects, for example, will help the Nerco Con Mine reduce arsenic waste. Another project helps industry and government make more informed decisions about establishing operations and regulating tailing ponds. Projects of the geoscience program help define the mineral potential of an area. The companies use the information to focus exploration. The government uses the maps in land use planning for road locations. Claims negotiators will be able to use the information to assist the Dogrib select mineral lands. The mapping project also provides direct employment to northern residents. The Dogrib Tribal Council plans to build hydro projects. The demand for power from these projects will depend on the mining industry. The mineral initiatives of the economic development agreement will help ensure that the industry remains a customer for Dogrib power into the next century. Thank you.