Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just before Christmas the governments of Canada and the NWT accepted the recommendations of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board regarding the plan to deal with the arsenic at Giant Mine in Weledeh. Today I rise to recognize their decision and point out that this is an example of the current regulatory system functioning in the way it should, functioning in a way that produces the best result for people.

The Government of Canada and GNWT finally have a plan for Giant Mine that makes sense. Previously, they claimed that the frozen block method was the

final solution that paradoxically would keep the arsenic contained for an infinite period of time as long as they maintained the system. To the public, especially groups like the Yellowknives Dene and Alternatives North, this was unacceptable. Thankfully, the City of Yellowknife was listening and used the legislation to trigger a full environmental review. The review board subsequently held hearings and heard the public’s concern.

Recognizing that the proposed plan was only a short-term partial solution, the board refocused Giant Mine on an interim solution with stipulation with continuing research towards a complete solution within 100 years. In addition, the project will be subject to independent public oversight, similar to that for diamond mines.

With appropriate support, our environmental review process clearly can work. When federal and territorial proponents insisted they had a fine plan, the public review process forced them to think things through more carefully. Subsequent amendments sealed a much improved plan and a much more sensible mindset. With full understanding, we now also know we must never put ourselves in this situation again.

As we institute devolution, the travesty of the Giant Mine legacy is a front and centre reminder of what happens when we naively let resource extraction proceed without careful oversight to clean things up along the way. An important reminder as in just weeks we will assume clean-up responsibility for all operating mines in the NWT.

I would like to thank all who were involved in getting the Giant Mine Stabilization Plan in the Weledeh riding back on track. Mahsi.