Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Arctic Offshore Drilling Review
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources represent the Government of the Northwest Territories as participants in the National Energy Board’s Arctic Offshore Drilling Review. The NEB has scheduled a roundtable meeting in Inuvik for mid-September 2011. It anticipates that phase three of its review, the public report, will be completed by the end of December 2011.
Northern Workforce MOU
ITI has worked extensively to ensure three diamond mines to increase the number of NWT residents working at the mines and develop capacity among local workers. The committee encourages expanding these initiatives to other industrial developments.
Mackenzie Gas Project
In December 2010 the National Energy Board issued a certificate of public necessity and convenience for the Mackenzie Gas Project. In July
2011, Shell announced the sale of its shares in the project. Members have expressed concern about the pipeline readiness and additional costs to the GNWT should the proponents announce a decision to construct in 2013.
Diamond Policy
Industry, Tourism and Investment released its finalized Diamond Policy in 2010. Implementation is a challenge. The committee strongly encourages the reinstatement of the diamond division within Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Exploration and Mining Development
Members suggest that the successor committee monitor the following mining developments:
• Avalon Rare Metals,
• Fortune
Minerals,
• Tamerlane,
• Selwyn
Chihong,
• Prairie
Creek,
• Gah Cho Kue.
The committee received briefings on these developments either from the Minister of ITI or the company itself.
In June 2011 over $500 million in work bids were awarded to oil companies to develop land in the Tulita district. Members suggest that the successor committee monitor these developments:
Prairie Creek
Canadian Zinc Corporation is reaching its final stages of negotiating a socio-economic agreement for its Prairie Creek mine. The SEA is similar to one they negotiated with De Beers and Snap Lake project. ITI has identified the agreement as a transition issue and Members have asked that a briefing be provided to the successor committee.
Energy Priority Investments
The 16th Legislative Assembly has made a $60
million in investment in a range of projects in the areas of energy policy, development, plan and supply, conservation and efficiency, alternative energy, and emerging technologies. This funding expires in 2012-13. Many issues and opportunities remain in this area and the committee strongly recommends the funding be reinstated in the 17th Assembly.
Hydro Strategy
The GNWT has released a draft Hydro Strategy in 2008 that has yet to be finalized. A discussion paper has been distributed to stakeholder groups. The committee believes that many elements of the Hydro Strategy still need development, such as setting realistic targets and creating a vision that includes new projects.
Bluefish Dam Construction
Construction costs for a new dam at Bluefish Lake hydro plant are expected to reach over $37 million with a direct rate of impact at 2.42 cents for customers in the Snare/Yellowknife system. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation provided information on the cost to the committee in the summer of 2011.
Municipal and Community Affairs
Dust Control
Throughout the 16th Legislative Assembly the
committee urged MACA to work with the Department of Transportation and community governments on dust control and main street paving initiatives in small communities. The committee hopes a new program to address this issue will be developed in the 17th Assembly.
Recreational Leasing Policy Framework
This policy framework is a MACA initiative to address problems with squatters in the Yellowknife River watershed and the Inuvik Airport Lake areas. MACA has completed the technical research required for the policy. Recreational leasing is frozen in both areas. The committee’s main concerns with the policy are the need for meaningful consultation with Aboriginal organizations and the delays in the schedule.
Sport and Recreation Funding
Concerns with funding to Sport North and its relationship with the Sport and Recreation Council were brought to the committee’s attention shortly before the dissolution of the 16th Assembly.
Members see an organizational shift taking place, and suggest that MACA undertake a review of the SRC and consider ways to reduce duplication in the programming.
I’d like to hand this back to the chair of the committee of Economic Development, Mr. Ramsay. Thank you.