The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the leases are still being held by Miramar Con Mine, and they are in the process of being assigned to Newmont under the terms and conditions that are currently in place. The number of leases we’re talking about is five different leases.

Thank you to the Minister for advising me that they are not yet with Newmont but still with Miramar. What are the dates of expiry for these leases, and can they be renewed by Newmont and/or Miramar on their expiration?

There are a couple of different expiry dates for these leases. Three of them are expected to expire by 2011, and the other two are, I believe, 2021.

The second half of my question was whether or not these leases can be renewed by Newmont at expiration. I’d also like to know if Newmont, or Miramar, has given any indication of their intention to renew any or all of these leases.

I didn’t answer the second question, and I apologize for that. Yes, the leases can be renewed. At this point I don’t have any indication whether there’s going to be an application to extend the leases or renew the leases upon expiry. The leases are currently in good standing, and we expect them to be transferred over.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

I’d like to know, then — to the Minister — whether or not the department is going to be pursuing this issue with Miramar or Newmont, whenever the licences get transferred over, to determine their intentions in regard to renewal of

leases. It’s of great interest both to the City of Yellowknife and the Akaitcho

First Nation.

I can’t say with any certainty the extent of our responsibility to inquire to that effect. I will, however, have my staff have a general discussion with the company and see what some of the general plans are, and report or advise the Member on what the results are.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of ENR. I want to start by saying that I’ve heard the Minister’s concerns about cumulative defects, and I understand his commitment to ensuring we actually avoid another Alberta North

situation. I’m wondering: will he ensure that the guidelines for seismic lines that are being drafted are not business-as-usual and do reflect a more progressive approach to that situation?

The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Speaker, the intent, as the Member has indicated, is going to be to work with the federal government, Environment Canada as well as with IMAC. There’s a draft coming out in June, and we’re going to look very carefully at the feedback to the third draft. Our intent is to allow the work to be done but in a way that minimizes the footprint. We’ll be taking the feedback we get very seriously.

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board has done a comprehensive review of projects that have submitted proposals for development in Campbell Hills and other areas. They’ve established guidelines like 2.5 metres and so on. Would the Minister ensure those standards that are set are given some weight in that consideration?

Mr. Speaker, we listen very carefully to the concerns raised in this House and the recommendations made. As we speak, we have staff in the department making note of the issues. I will commit to making sure I talk to the deputy and, as we proceed through this process, that those concerns are definitely kept in mind.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for those comments from the Minister. I’m wondering if the Minister would agree to share that draft with me so I can share that with my constituents when the drafts are ready for further consultation.

Mr. Speaker, the plan is to have the third draft ready for public consultation release. I have yet to see it myself. As soon as I have one in my hand, I’ll make sure I get some more copies, and I’ll share one with the Member; as well, I will send one to the Chair of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I talked about the cost of living and its impact on residents in smaller communities. I would like to follow up the statement with questions to the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, in the Premier’s Budget Address, he specifically acknowledged the cost-of-living issue and talked about “taking action to provide long-term solutions to address this reality.” I’d like to ask the Premier: what actions within the context of the small-community issue is he referring to with the mention of long-term solutions? What time frames has he identified in these areas?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The Hon. Premier, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The area of reducing the cost of living incorporates quite a number of areas, whether it’s energy, housing packages or rents in a number of areas. We’ve laid out a package under the lead in this area of reducing the cost of living. Minister Lee will be working with the departments. As well, we can consider working with Members on specific initiatives. I think it would be a good opportunity. But we need to look at resolving the maximum-rent issue through, for example, the Housing Corporation and how rents are set in our communities. We’d like to start that work in ’08–09, so this year.

We’re looking for alternative energy. For example, natural gas conversion is an option in ’09–10. As for alternative energy studies and work, whether it’s run-of-the-river hydro, things of that nature, some of that work is ongoing now. We want to continue that process as well.

For example, the housing strategy aimed at quality infrastructure is a public housing repair investment. We want to aim at starting something there in ’09–10. There are quite a number of other initiatives under transportation, whether it’s widening of highways and airport extensions, realizing that does help in the cost of living when goods are landed in communities.

In his Budget Address the Premier also states that the government will address the factors that impact the cost of goods and will support individuals and families. I’d like to ask the Premier: keeping within the context of small communities, what factors is he referring to? What kind of supports will be available for individuals and families?

Mr. Speaker, we’ve yet to come up with a final product, but here’s where we’re looking at going. One of the areas I talked about is the maximum rent in our smaller communities. That needed to be balanced out when we looked at our housing initiatives across the Territories.

The other one falls into, for example, the income security reform piece with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. That is looking at things like a healthy food basket, as well as the income security programs that reflect on our seniors and those who are disabled in the Northwest Territories, and looking at how we deliver that level of programs and services in our communities.

We’ve also discussed the area of the Food Mail Program. That’s delivered by the federal government — Canada Post — and there are increasing concerns coming from communities who say that’s not really benefiting their community as it was supposed to. We’re going to have to look at how we proceed and gauge at that level as well.