The expert panel talked to a variety of stakeholders here in the Northwest Territories, including municipalities, industry, Aboriginal government and organizations including NGOs. They talked to Alternatives North, regulatory bodies, chambers of commerce, education and training institutions and non-government organizations, so for the Member to say that we didn’t talk to anybody, that’s not an accurate statement.

We haven’t opened a mine outside of a diamond mine in well over 20 years here in the Northwest Territories. Our interest is in getting more mines open so we can have jobs and opportunities for the people who call the Northwest Territories home. As to the subsidies the Member talks about, or the incentives, that is yet to be determined as we move forward. We’ll be working with the standing committee and Members of this government to ensure that we have a Mineral Development Strategy that is going to attract investment and get jobs and opportunities for residents of the Northwest Territories.