Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Todd.

I want to assure my honourable colleague, in preparing the necessary strategy for the Izok Lake proposal and others, I have asked the department, in fact insisted, that all stakeholders involved in this process be involved. To date, it is my understanding we have met with some of the Dogrib people, the Inuit from Coppermine, the NWT Chamber of Commerce and the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. The process of access is what is important. You cannot develop something as significant as this proposal, or the transportation strategy that I will be talking about later on this week, without ongoing significant input by all the stakeholders. I have insisted that it take place, the department has responded accordingly and will continue to do the same all though the project.

---Applause

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

I am pleased that all the stakeholders are going to be involved. I wonder, has the department hired consultants to do the consulting?

Mr. Todd.

No, it is my understanding, in discussions with the deputy minister, that the work is all being done in-house. Consultation and communication with the stakeholders is under way. I will admit it is far from perfect, we are working towards trying to improve the communications. We are trying to get everyone to the table. The specific project at Izok Lake is national in its scope and it is absolutely necessary that we get all northerners behind this project so we can move forward in whatever strategy we develop, particularly as it relates to discussions with the federal government and their financial involvement. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

How are you going to determine who the stakeholders are?

Mr. Todd.

I think I said when I was running for the Cabinet that I believe in the politics of inclusion, not exclusion. I still believe in that. The door is open. I have discussed it with Mr. Zoe and his particular group. Discussions are under way with the Nunasi Corporation, the Kitikmeot people, and discussions have taken place with the NWT Chamber of Mines and chamber of commerce. The door is open for discussion. I am serious about involving all of the stakeholders. This requires a territorial-wide strategy and support because we are talking about significant federal and territorial financial investment for the betterment of all of the stakeholders.

Last supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, the response prompts me to ask a final supplementary. The Minister keeps referring to "we" as doing this or that. The door is open for groups, people and industry to talk and consult. Is there going to be a one window approach? Who do they contact when they want to consult?

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, we are in the early stages of developing this strategy. This is what we are trying to do right now. We are trying to make sure the strategy is in keeping with the requirements of all groups, whether it is the aboriginal claimant groups, private sector groups, et cetera. Right now, we are in the early stages of discussion. I guess the department is taking the lead with directions from myself. I have spoken to both Mr. Zoe from the North Slave and Mr. Ningark from the Kitikmeot. I have met with some of the people from Yellowknife. As I have said to you, if there is someone missing in the equation, the table is large enough to bring everyone to the table. We are at the very early stages of developing a strategy as to how we are going to approach this as it relates to the federal government. If we are going to move forward on this proposal, as I have stated in my Minister's

statement, there is a requirement for significant federal and territorial dollars. I want to make sure, and you have my assurances, that all the stakeholders involved in this venture will be, to the best of our ability, consulted and involved in the development of the strategy. It is not going to be a government-driven strategy. This is going to be a stakeholder-driven strategy.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, we are at the initial stages of this thing. We have not formalized any kind of working committee or group. The door is open. The current contact is Mr. Gamble, the deputy minister. He has been making the direct contacts with the stakeholder groups. I am sure what will evolve, as we move forward in discussions, is a more formal approach to seeking input and dialogue which is absolutely necessary in a project of this nature. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Whitford.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am glad the honourable Member asked me that question because in a recent discussion with his colleague to the left of him, he had given me an article in an aircraft magazine which talks about the new up-to-date state of the art navigation aids which are currently being considered in other parts of the world. In discussions with the deputy minister recently, I suggested we take a hard look at the need for evaluating the kinds of navigational aids we have and not only on the Arctic B and C airports, but also on the larger ones. Yes, we are looking all the time, particularly as it relates to safety. As a white knuckle flyer, I am particularly concerned about it. We are taking a hard look at this. As has been suggested by your honourable colleague, Mr. Lewis, we are looking at the new technology which is available. Hopefully in the coming months we will be able to bring a report into the Assembly and advise them of what we should do.