Thank you, Mr. Chair. ITI's contribution to the Chamber of Mines is a decision that's made yearly and it's one that provides funding to assist with ITI in implementing the Mineral Development Strategy. We see it as funding as not an operating subsidy. It's not used for salaries or for rent. Funding is tailored on a yearly basis and is largely a partnership with the chamber to deliver on promotional efforts in support of marketing the Northwest Territories to the resource industry and help promote the Northwest Territories as an attractive and high potential destination for investment dollars. Events include the NWT information session, one half day at PDAC which is a Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, invests in CanNor Seminar, at PDAC, participation at PDAC, and also the Cordilleran Roundup.

ITI also partners with the chamber to do targeted research on a case-by-case basis. One such example was the recently releases Abacus Mining Survey that was a public opinion poll on mining in the Northwest Territories. This survey serves as a baseline from which we can assess our report card on how the Northwest Territories is doing on many subjects such as regulatory, socio-economic, and environmental. Funding also assists in their capacity to engage in reviews of legislation and regulations such as ongoing reviews of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Funding also works towards education initiatives. Examples include bartering with the Chamber of Mines last fall to complete three successful prospecting courses in Yellowknife, Ndilo, and Behchoko. Fifty participants attended and completed the course.

Student engagement at the Geoscience Forum in Yellowknife where we support education connections so that local students and educators can learn about minerals in the mining industry through hands-on activities and also a career exploration event. The Mineral Development Strategy has funded the transportation for students from Yellowknife, Detah, Ndilo, and Behchoko to attend this event. Eleven classes from grade four to six attended in 2015. The chamber also assisted and participated in the Regional Mineral Strategy Workshop and is involved ongoing in the future delivery of workshops. Thank you, Mr. Chair.