Mr. Speaker, with the Department of Lands in the GNWT now holding the lease on the Mactung Mine and through devolution we feel that we're in a better position to try and adjust any of the liabilities, identify any liabilities and make sure we have adequate securities as has been mentioned in the past. As far as the actual inspections that have happened since then because it's a non-operating mine inspections weren't really required. I'll have to follow up and see how many we've actually done, but I could tell the Member in this House that ITI and Lands are planning on having boots on the ground this summer at the Mactung site to do some inspections out there. I would be more than pleased to give Members opposite an update as to the work when it happens.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the answer and the commitment from the Minister on the Mactung property, but I've been talking about Cantung. It's a nearby former operating mine, but I'd be happy to chat with him about this. Now that we have authority under devolution to bring in our own legislation regulations policies and processes for setting financial security for non-renewable resource development, we've had this authority now, Mr. Speaker, for over two years. Can the Minister tell this House what steps he has taken to engage the public and bring in a sound and robust financial security system for non-renewable resource development in the Northwest Territories? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct: Mactung is the property; Cantung is the mine. It is the remediation of Cantung that Canada has taken the responsibility for. I hear the Member's point on the securities. It is a responsibility that we take very seriously because we are ultimately, at the end, responsible for it. We are holding approximately $562 million in security within the Department of Lands. I think there is about $5.5 million of that on the Cantung mines. We will continue to fulfill our role in making sure that the environment and Northwest Territories and the liabilities are up to date. As we move forward, I will make a commitment that we will work with Members, keep them up to date as to the work that we are doing, and also keep the public informed and up to date as to the work that we are doing and the amount of security that we hold.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Finance inform this House where, in the government's budget, are there tax measures to lower taxes on small businesses? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Finance.

Mr. Speaker, the short answer is nowhere. This is the first budget since this Assembly has taken office. We have three budgets to go before the end of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I don't think our businesses can afford to wait much longer to see some real economic growth and progress. Is the Minister committing to doing this any time soon? Is it going to be budget two, three or four?

Mr. Speaker, as people across Northwest Territories know, we are going through an exercise right now where we are trying to identify a lot of savings within the budget. Part of the reason for that is to pass those savings and be able to invest in new initiatives that our small businesses across the Northwest Territories can take advantage of. As far as looking at the corporate or small business tax, this is a discussion that we can have. We have a business planning process coming up in September. I am sure the Members will raise it at that time again.

Mr. Speaker, Members in this House did discuss it when we set this government's mandate and were fairly insistent that this needed to happen. In fact, it was the Members on the other side of Cabinet that voted against this resolution. I will ask the Minister again if he will make a firm commitment to see this roll out sooner rather than later.

I would like to ask the Member to refresh our memory and let us know where we voted against this particular initiative? Thank you.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will ask the Minister to answer the question I previously asked. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Member makes a comment that we voted against something. My answer to his question is I wanted to know where that happened.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. Mr. Speaker, we had a project in Aklavik, the remediation of an old NTPC site in the community, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister why has the remaining work been put on hold to the old site that is located in the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister responsible for NWT Power Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, in 2015 the Power Corporation began a remediation on the old site. Certain issues have been identified. There was some work that was done last year, and I understand that field work for the remediation of the site, or further field work, is scheduled to begin on August 20thof this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure why we have to wait until August. We have two months here that this work can be completed and possibly ship out the contaminants. Will the Minister ensure that the clean-up continues to ensure no contaminants are spread with the rain over the summer?

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned previously that field work for the remediation will take place in August of this year, August 20th. This is part of a multiyear program to make sure that there will be no damage to the community left from the former site. We are moving as quickly as we can on this project. The corporation has many activities including remediation of various sites. This is probably the earliest we can do it. It will be done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once the site has been completed and finished, I would like to ask the Minister: will the Minister ensure that the site is filled in with gravel to ensure that there are no big holes left behind? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I don't have all the details of the plans for remediation of the site, which was the site of the former power plant. I am sure the Power Corporation will live up to its obligations and return the site to as pristine a condition as is possible.