Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the Mayor from Hay River as well, but I won't call him the Mayor, I'll call him a friend. It was funny because today we were talking about our exploits when we were younger playing ball and he was a center fielder, so I'd like to welcome Brad Mapes to the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize a constituent of Yellowknife South, Magnolia Unka, daughter of Tommy Unka. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Those we're missing in the public gallery, welcome to the Assembly. It's always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Item 7, acknowledgements. Item 8, oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about the Arctic drilling ban, and my questions are for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Premier is: when did the Northwest Territories last discuss the ban on Arctic oil and gas development with Canada? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated publically, I was informed of the ban on drilling in Arctic waters by the Prime Minister two hours before he made the announcement in Vancouver. This was a couple weeks ago. At that time, I expressed my concerns and I have since written to the Prime Minister reiterating the Government of Northwest Territories' position that it is imperative that our government be involved in decisions that affect our people in the Northwest Territories. We must be able to give our residents hope for a brighter economic future.

The Prime Minister assured me that he knows this and I'll be following up with him at every opportunity to understand what investments the federal government will be making for the people of the Arctic in return. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: if the US administration decided to overthrow the moratorium, is there any indication that Canada would do the same?

At this time, the federal government has given us no indication that they intend to reconsider their decision to ban offshore drilling in the Arctic. The federal government has committed to a five-year scientific review of this decision; however, they have not provided any information about what that review will entail. I'll be following up with Prime Minister Trudeau at every opportunity to ensure that the Government of the Northwest Territories is involved in any review and that traditional knowledge is a key feature of that review.

My third question is: economic activity in the Beaufort Delta was already in serious decline. Is the government working on a regional strategy to help diversify the economy and seek opportunities such as a fishery, scientific research, mining, even tourism?

This government is committed to economic diversification. Cabinet recently participated at the mineral exploration conference in Vancouver to promote opportunities for exploration and mining. During the last government there was a focus on promoting the Asian tourism market, and we continue to see positive results with an increase of 20,000 tourists from 2011 to 2016. The completion of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway in 2017 will be a milestone in the Northwest Territories helping to connect communities support a resilient transportation system in the face of climate change and capture economic opportunities.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recently announced our intention to work with Yukon and Northwest Territories on a planned Territorial Sustainable Development Strategy. We are in the concept stages now and we'll work collaboratively with NWT Aboriginal governments and industry partners, as well as this Assembly, to create a strategy that will help the Beaufort Delta and the Northwest Territories diversify and build new economies as well as strengthen our traditional economies.

As this was a federal decision, we expect the federal government to deliver on the new jobs and gross strategy in return for shutting down and putting in place a moratorium in the Beaufort Delta.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response. After hearing all that, Mr. Speaker, my final question to the Premier is how often will the Government of the Northwest Territories engage both with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Canada on this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

All the Aboriginal governments in the Beaufort were unanimous in their condemnation at the lack of consultation with regard to a moratorium in the Beaufort Delta on oil and gas.

I had an opportunity to meet with the Inuvialuit Regional Council president in Vancouver. We agreed to meet on a regular basis, and we all agreed that the federal government must consult with both ourselves and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council with regards to proposed development of any changes to oil and gas policies in the Beaufort.

Officials in our government and IRC are working together as well as working with federal officials through the Inuvialuit Settlement Regional Oil and Gas Coordination Committee, which provides a venue to facilitate information-sharing and coordination. Through the devolution agreement that we signed with the federal government, we had agreed to negotiate an agreement on the management of the oil and gas in the Beaufort, and we have written to the federal government to remind them of that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of MACA in relation to a study done on shoreline erosion or riverbank erosion.

In October of 2006, there was a study done by EBA Engineering referred to as the Review of Riverbank Stability in Fort Good Hope. My first question is: considering this is a liability zone, is the Minister willing to look at some relief on current taxes for the tenants in that zoned liability area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Shoreline erosion is an issue that we face throughout the Northwest Territories, not only in Fort Good Hope but in many communities. It is not within my jurisdiction to actually say that I can give tax reliefs. We do assessment of properties, but we don't actually provide the tax bills; but we are willing to work with the community to look at doing another hazard analysis and to update their emergency plan. We are planning on updating most community emergency plans in this fiscal year. We can help them apply for funding if they would like to do a study such as what is happening in Tuktoyaktuk at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for that response. Considering this is a liability against this government through that department and as identified in the 2006 study, is the Minister willing to send, with the document, with the study -- I have a copy here, and I'm willing to share that -- and review with the tenants or the residents in the neighbourhood, I believe there are about 12, if the Minister's willing to have a discussion with the home tenants to review the liability and the situation there that is bearing against this government and entertain with the tenants on a resolution?

At the beginning of the 18th Legislative Assembly, our Premier made a commitment that he would try to get the Ministers into every community within the Northwest Territories. I am trying to fulfil my part in meeting that commitment by our Premier. I know that we haven't done a tour of the Sahtu at this point, so, yes, when we finalize the dates of the Sahtu tour, I would be more than willing to have a public meeting on the shoreline erosion and any other concerns that the communities may have.

I'll ask that question again. I'm not requesting a delegation of this Assembly or this Cabinet. I'm just asking the Minister if the regional office would also be accompanied by the ministerial office here to review with the 12 tenants that are affected in this liability zone and see if there are resolutions to their concerns and, if so, when.

The regional staff would be able to go in and meet with the community if that is the wish of the MLA. I was just extending that further because I also recognize that we haven't toured that community yet, so it was just another extension of an offer. If the MLA is satisfied with the regional worker or department going in, then we will make that happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is more of a comment. I'm willing to have discussions with the Minister's office here and share the document of 2006 so we can agree on a schedule and date as to when so the tenants could be notified, to ensure that they're at home during the scheduled time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.