Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The regional environmental review committee, which was formed by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, consists of Government of the Northwest Territories membership of three departments: one is the Department of Economic Development and Tourism; one is the Department of Renewable Resources; and, the third is the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe also the Department of Education, Culture and Employment because there are archaeological sites of a cultural interest so that department was also involved. I would like to ask the Minister, since this is an environmental issue, did the government have one position on this road, or did it have three or four departmental positions on this road?

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not able to respond on behalf of the other departments, but I believe that the Department of Renewable Resources, as the arm of the government which considers environmental impact across the Northwest Territories, has taken a very thorough look at the situation and what impact it may have on the environment surrounding the BHP mine. The results of this technical committee, which is basically what it is -- it is an advisory committee to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs -- have agreed that, in fact, the road which BHP is proposing will have minimal impact on the environment around the proposed mine. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. BHP's application to have an amendment to its land use permit in N93C043 is obviously supported by all the government departments in the Northwest Territories. I am not quite sure if the whole government supports it, but individual departments have agreed that this should go ahead. So now that those recommendations have been made to the chairman of the regional committee, I would like to ask the Minister, what other groups have been involved? Have any of them opposed this particular project?

Thank you. Minister Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this is an advisory committee to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, I am not aware of which other stakeholders are involved in the process. The only information I have at the present time is that the Department of Renewable Resources is involved and the other two departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I am able to respond to questions on behalf of the Department of Renewable Resources. But when it comes to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, I am not able to respond on their behalf. This is as much information as I have at the present time with regard to the regional environmental review committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Since this has been raised in this House so many times as the biggest project this territory has ever seen, and since BHP has to know by March 15th whether this road will go or not because it has to get equipment in by the summer, and since this Minister is the Minister responsible for environmental matters that affect all the people of the Northwest Territories under the responsibilities of this government, I would like to ask him whether that decision is promised in the very near future, so the deadline can be made.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.