Mr. Speaker, On October 22nd the Government of the Northwest Territories and BHP Diamonds Incorporated signed an agreement which ensures that the construction and operation of the first diamond mine in Canada will contribute to the social, cultural and economic well-being of northern residents.
This agreement provides a framework to ensure that training, employment and business opportunities are made available to northern residents. It is the first time our government has requested a company to meet specific targets for employing residents, including specific targets for aboriginal residents.
We are all too familiar with the high unemployment rate in the Northwest Territories, particularly for the younger portion of our population. Mr. Speaker, this agreement reaffirms this government's commitment to offer pre-employment training programs and apprenticeship programs to help ensure northern residents, and particularly our youth, have the necessary employment skills. Later today, I will table a copy of the Socio-Economic Agreement.
Mr. Speaker, the development of the Socio-Economic Agreement was not the only condition this government placed on its support for the project. The environmental agreement and the impact benefit agreements with the affected aboriginal groups were equally important. I am pleased to state that significant progress has been made on these other conditions as well. The environmental agreement is currently undergoing legal and technical review, and should be finalized by mid-December. Later today I will table the implementation protocol leading to an environmental agreement signed by both governments, BHP, the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, Akaitcho Treaty 8, Metis Nation and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
Mr. Speaker, impact benefit agreements with the Dogrib Treaty 11, and the Yellowknives Treaty 8, and Lutsel K'e Treaty 8 have been signed. Progress in negotiating impact benefits agreements with the Inuit of Kugluktuk and the Metis Nation continue to be made.
These agreements set a precedent for future development projects in the Northwest Territories. They give indication that this government supports economic development which maximizes opportunities for northern residents, and minimizes the social and environmental impacts.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the cooperation and hard work that took place over the last few months amongst all the parties involved and this hard work and diligence also paid off in the benefits that we all will derive from the development of this mine. I am confident that this spirit of cooperation and mutual respect will continue over the life of the project. Mahsi.