Mr. Chairman, I believe I brought this up with the department before. We did discuss preparing communities for the impact from resource companies. I believe the department is well aware there is a fair amount of exploration activity going on in Paulatuk right now. There is a lot of talk of the exploration
activity proceeding into production.
Mr. Chairman, almost 100 percent of the activity from the resource companies that affected Tuk, for instance, was through exploration. As we all know, Tuk was heavily impacted and unprepared for the exploration activity that went on in the Beaufort. Therefore, the question now raised is whether or not the department is preparing or working with the hamlet of Paulatuk to address exploration activity that is going on right now? There is already some impact on the community in regard to traffic at the airport, use of fuels. Obviously, there is going to be some impact as to where the exploration companies are going to go and which land development needs these exploration companies are going to be needing in the future.
We also have to address even small impacts on the communities of only a little over 200 people. It would not take much of a population increase to start putting a strain on municipal services. Therefore, I am wondering if the department is working with the hamlet to address any impacts they are experience at this time? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.