Mr. Speaker, we are, as a government, interested in making sure that if the mine does shut down, that the arsenic stored underground is addressed clearly and emphatically by the federal government if no one else would assume responsibility. We have said that, if possible, we would like to keep the mine operating and we will do what we can to help the private sector find a way, if it is possible, to keep it operating which may mean to politically lobby the federal government as early as possible to assume some or all of the liability for the environmental costs. We have also said that if it needs to be shut down, if the mine is no longer viable, then it should be shut down gradually to minimize the impact it would have on the economy of the city of Yellowknife, on agencies like the Power Corporation and the fiscal situation of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Stephen Kakfwi on Question 71-13(7): Continued Operations Of Giant Mine
In the Legislative Assembly on April 19th, 1999. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 71-13(7): Continued Operations Of Giant Mine
Question 71-13(7): Continued Operations Of Giant Mine
Item 7: Oral Questions
April 18th, 1999
Page 199
See context to find out what was said next.