Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. As I stated earlier today, the mining sector should not be forgotten in our efforts to strengthen and diversify the northern economy. Many northern mines are maturing while exploration is in a steady decline, and the sector requires this Government's support to begin growing again.

Can the Minister explain how the department is working to encourage mineral exploration in this climate where world-wide commodity prices and investor confidence is low? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.