Thank you, Mr. Chair. I asked the Minister some questions about the Mining Incentive Program the other day. We have heard in several statements it is a great program that generates a lot of economic activity in the exploration sector. I also asked if this amount would be increased. I note that it is staying the same in this budget, and the ministry indicated that the long-term plan for the Mining Incentive Program is to expand it. Can the Minister just confirm that that is the department's perspective of this very successful program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Mr. Minister?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is our expectation. We would hope to aspire to that before the end of the term of the 18thLegislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Was this program modelled on the Yukon's program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

hank you, Mr. Testart. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We share information and adopt best practices, and we felt it was successful in the Yukon so it should be successful here as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further.

hank you, Mr. Testart. Recognizing Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I just would like to go back to the Mackenzie Valley development contribution of $400,000. I believe I heard the Minister say that we're spending $100,000 for offices and salary and so on. What's the other $300,000 for then? Thanks. Mr. Chair.

hank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Primarily for helping build business capacity in the Aboriginal Governments, Aboriginal capacity building and community consultations, as well as resource pre-development program. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So this extra $300,000, does that go to the Aboriginal pipeline group or does it to go to individual Aboriginal Governments upon application or how does -- what's it used for -- sorry, who can access it and how? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

hank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's application base. It's available to Aboriginal Governments, Aboriginal businesses, Aboriginal businessman. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Like a previous colleague speaking, I'm not sure why we continue to support the Aboriginal Pipeline Group when we've actually wound down our own office in Hay River, but in any event I'll just leave that as a comment. I did want to ask, though, about Canadian Zinc Socio-economic agreement. There's $30,000 there and is that money that we contribute to the company or what is that money actually for? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That money is part of the socio-economic agreement that we negotiated with Canadian Zinc and it is money that we spend to meet with the communities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the answer. The description talks about a Socio-economic advisory committee, so that money is used to support GNWT staff then to attend these committee meetings, is that what it's used for? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The mine is not in operation so this is for preparatory work to set up an advisory committee when the mine is up and running. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.