Thank you, Madam Chair. This Assembly’s very loyal and dedicated committee has some opening remarks, and I’d like to now read them officially in the record.
The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure sees the development of the Economic Opportunities and Mineral Development Strategies as major initiatives of the 17th Legislative Assembly. The policy
direction of these strategies and their implementation and action plans will have
significant barriers on the work of the government departments and the economic direction of the Northwest Territories over the next 10 to 20 years.
From the outset, the committee expressed considerable interest as well as criticism with the development of both strategies. The committee’s major concerns were highlighted in its Report on the Development of the Economic Opportunities and Mineral Development Strategies tabled in June of this year. These issues included the short time frame for the development of both strategies, limited public input into the development of the Mineral Development Strategy, and the lack of a thorough response to recommendations submitted by committee.
In tabling this report, it was the committee’s intention to share its experience with the House so that future strategy initiatives may be developed efficiently, collaboratively, and in keeping with the spirit and the principles of consensus government resulting in the delivery of meaningful policies and tangible benefits to all residents of the Northwest Territories.
That concludes my remarks regarding the tabled report, and I am under the understanding other Members may have comments as well.