I want to thank the Member for his comments and questions. I do acknowledge and recognize that there has been some discussion and the Member has raised it again; his disappointment around the location of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline office. The leadership in the Beaufort-Delta are also expressing that disappointment. I have certainly indicated to them, both in writing and in discussions, that we are looking to adequately resource our oil and gas response up and down the valley, and that includes the Inuvik region and we will be doing that.
As I have indicated, I have asked the department to come forward with some options that I can take to Cabinet, because we will fall down if we don't have a more adequate response throughout the entire valley. We will need additional resources to be able to cope with the magnitude of this project and obviously Inuvik is logically placed for us to have this oil and gas response.
The MGP -- Mackenzie Gas project office -- that the Member speaks off, which is headed up by Imperial on behalf of the proponents, has an office in Inuvik, Norman Wells, Hay River, and in Simpson, as well. I would agree that this could be a very valuable resource and I'm certainly glad that the Member has pointed that out.
Tourism was another issue that you raised and I am always aware -- and more aware when we go to federal/ provincial/ territorial meetings of tourism Ministers -- about what other jurisdictions are doing and it's always very clear that the Yukon spends a significant amount of money and places quite a significant amount of focus on tourism.
You are right; we have a natural beauty that is without compare and, really, there is much that we can do in tourism to ensure that this is a meaningful industry for all corners of the Northwest Territories. We have to work on that going forward. It is not a defence, but I think we are challenged because of the amount of development that we have here in the Northwest Territories; the development pressures and our need to respond and make sure people can take advantage of those opportunities.
The Yukon is starting to have some oil and gas exploration now. They don't have the amount of mining that we do have currently, but they are looking at some placer mines, going forward. I think that they will be under pressure, as well, to continue that support for tourism with some of these other things competing for investment. Certainly, they do a wonderful job in supporting tourism and there is much that we can learn as a jurisdiction from them and we will work on that. Thank you.