Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure is pleased to provide its report on the tabling of the Pembina Institute Report titled Responsible Extraction: An Analysis of the Northwest Territories Mineral Development Strategy Panel Report and commends it to the House.

In conjunction with the release of Pathways to Mineral Development: Report of the Stakeholders Engagement Panel for the NWT Mineral Development Strategy in June 2013, the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure commissioned the Pembina Institute to review the report and related documents, and offer its comments and recommendations on the Government of the Northwest Territories’ approach to future mineral development in the North.

The committee commissioned this review out of concern for the perceived industry bias and lack of public involvement in the work of the advisory panel that the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment commissioned in the preparation of the Mineral Development Strategy. The committee wishes to publicly release the Pembina Institute’s work, entitled Responsible Extraction: An Analysis of the Northwest Territories Mineral Development Strategy Panel Report, and offer residents an opportunity to get involved in the creation of responsible public policy for mineral development.

The Pembina Institute’s analysis supports some areas of the advisory panel’s recommendations, but

strongly recommends a more balanced approach and open public consultation as the government prepares to implement the Mineral Development Strategy. Members of the standing committee invite the public to comment on the Pembina Institute’s analysis as well as the Mineral Development Strategy Advisory Panel’s report. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment is ultimately responsible for the direction of the Mineral Development Strategy and has an important role in commenting on this work. The committee members are disappointed that the Minister has, so far, declined to offer a direct response to the Pembina Institute’s assessments.

As the Northwest Territories takes on responsibility for land and resources management, Northerners must work together more than ever before. Taxpayers cannot afford to support the exploitation of publicly owned natural resources. The Northwest Territories cannot afford another Colomac or Giant Mine. It is time to develop projects with legacies we can be proud to share.

Mining offers many opportunities, but for the long-term benefit of our people, it must be governed by responsible public interest policy, and supported as one of many vital components of a diversified economy that builds and sustains the Northwest Territories as a whole.

The committee will be formally tabling the Pembina Institute report and welcome public comment in the development of this important policy framework.

That concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure on the tabling of the Pembina Institute Report, titled Responsible Extraction: An Analysis of the Northwest Territories Mineral Development Strategy Panel.