Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Mr. Todd.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question, asked by Mr. Picco on October 7, 1997.

Environmental Liability Inventory

The following is the information requested concerning the inventory of sites in the Northwest Territories with potential environmental liabilities.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations requested that an inventory of sites where potential environmental liabilities may exist be completed by the Financial Management Board Secretariat (FMBS). This task was undertaken by the FMBS and a report provided to both the Chairman and the Clerk of this Standing Committee on April 7, 1997.

The inventory identified 648 sites. At 624 an environmental liability exists or may exist. Based on an estimated average cost per site of $10,000 to $50,000 to conduct detailed environmental assessments to determine whether or not environmental damage exists, and the potential costs of remediation, the assessment could cost between $6 to $40 million. The actual cost of remediating or restoring these sites to their original condition is unknown and cannot be determined until the detailed environmental assessments are done.

While the Government of the Northwest Territories cannot afford to conduct these detailed assessments at this time, having developed an inventory of potential sites is a positive step.

Thank you. Returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because the plane was cancelled today going to eastern Rankin, I am able to recognize my husband in the gallery with my little buddy, Randy, and also our other son, Trevor. Thank you.

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ootes.

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Evan Walz. Evan used to work at the Legislative Assembly and has since refound a home at Renewable Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Thank you.

Thank you. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Krutko.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Enuaraq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess my question will be directed to Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Jim Antoine. As I mentioned in my Member's statement people who live on the highway system have the ability to go elsewhere to buy their food. Also on the highway system, food is less expensive, a little bit anyway. In remote communities, there is no choice where to buy their food. They must rely on expensive airlines and local stores. What are we as a government doing to assist low income families in remote communities to buy their healthy food. Thank you.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have to take this question as notice. Thank you.

The question is taken as notice. Oral questions, Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Todd.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke on a number of occasions that diamonds are different than any other commodity and that we have to be very careful as to how we approach this industry and ensure that Canadian interests as well as northern ones are protected. There is no question, if you want. The value or the return on investment that this industry has historically in Africa, Australia and other countries is significant. I am advised that this current diamond activity going on in the Northwest Territories could bring somewhere in the range of two mines that are up and running of about 7.7 million carats a year and that a large percentage of those carats are of gem quality which would mean a significant return on investment for both companies.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Well, of course, there is a great deal of debate right now as to what the number is with respect to taxes and royalties. My numbers right now indicate that the federal government and ourselves would get somewhere in

the range of about $2.4 to $2.5 billion over the life cycle of one mine. There is some discussion about some of the secondary taxes that may come that would bring this thing to somewhere around $4 billion over the period of one mine. So, you know, I think, the numbers we are talking about are national in their context. They are large in terms of the balance sheet and, while the risk capital is significant and nobody denies that, some of the rewards, if these diamond operations are successful, are immense. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.