Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The project in Tulita was a community initiative that sought to establish a hotel in the community, a community that required a hotel to be established. As I recall, the project was underway and construction had already started when, because of design deficiencies, there were cost overruns that were incurred and the government, I think myself as a Minister, was approached for assistance. The question was put to the department and I believe discussions were held with the Development Corporation as well that saw both the department and the Development Corporation initiate some action to address the difficulties that, that project faced in the latter part of construction. Thank you.

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to think that I pay attention to all the community initiatives and projects that I am responsible for. I have been advised that some Members of the Legislature were keenly interested in looking for a possible reason which I, as a Minister, may have tried to keep heavy benefits in my constituency as a result of myself being responsible for the Development Corporation and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. So I had, some time ago, reviewed all areas where money had been spent in my department and in the Development Corporation in my constituency to see if, inadvertently, I might have used my position.

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the good members of the public as well as this Legislature, I think, always have to be vigilant in ensuring that, as Ministers, we go about carrying out our duties as fairly and as impartially as possible. So it holds equally that those that may hypothetically want to see my demise are in the same position as those who want to see me excel in my ministerial duties by pointing out those things that I am doing deficiently and those things I am sort of going overboard on, to make sure that all of us remain vigilant in ensuring that we, as Ministers, carry out our duties in as fair a way as possible. I take that very seriously. That is why I always ask my staff to make sure the decisions that I make and am involved in are always reviewed by everyone that I work with to ensure that there is no way that anyone can impute that I am doing it for self-serving reasons. Thank you.

Jane Groenewegen Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. It has to do with oil and gas exploration. On a very positive note, we have much activity going on in the south Mackenzie in the area of oil and gas exploration. What role does this government play in the approval process for applications for oil and gas exploration, companies coming in from other jurisdictions to perform oil and gas exploration? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.