Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you to the Minister for that. However, I am a bit disappointed that that is the only concrete thing we can look at. Surely, there must be more. I am a bit beside myself that we are doing nothing new in what we are offering to develop this industry. Does the Minister agree with that assessment of this status quo as terms of support to the industry? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Status quo, no, I don't believe it is status quo. We had the opportunity, as we were at Mineral Roundup, to hear from a number of people. They are quite encouraged with some of the stuff that we are moving forward on in the Northwest Territories. Our job, when we were down there, was to figure out some of the concerns that we need to work on moving forward. I took some of their comments not very lightly, and we are looking into a number of things. I think one of the things that we are having a good hard look at here right now is the EIP money, Exploration Incentive Program. It expires on March 31st of this year. Every dollar that is invested allows a $1.50 credit for exploration in the Northwest Territories. That is something we are considering extending on in this coming fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate those answers from the Minister. As the Minister knows, the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has recommended an increase to the Mineral Incentive Program in the amount of $600,000 of new funding. The budget last year was $1,010,000 and we've seen that basically cut in half. Sorry, that's page 206. That's a sunset in the Mackenzie Valley development. So it will be an increase of $600,000 to the $400,000, bringing that total to $1 million. Is the Minister prepared to reinstate, or does the Minister have a reason not to reinstate, the grants and contributions to transfer funding which are seeing sunset now? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think we need some more clarity, because I think he's talking about two different funds that I'm not talking about here right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Schumann. Sorry, Mr. Testart, your time has expired. Next on the list we have Mr. McNeely.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is related to allowances throughout the next 12 months for the duration of this budget here in preparation for, say, expenses. Underneath purchase services, there's an allowance there, contract services. As we review some of the opportunities that are going to be created by the remedial reclamation side of the Esso-Imperial Norman Wells Oilfield, as we know, the permit application for that reclamation is moving forward. Prior to Christmas, the applicant received an approval for one permit. They're applying for a secondary permit, so movement towards the remedial activities is happening. Are there funding allowances there? Should a remedial workshop be budgeted for or initiated by one of the land corporations in the Sahtu to engage on discussions of opportunities created by the reclamation side and create some awareness on those identification opportunities to the younger folks in the area of land and environmental land management, and maybe some required post-secondary schooling that's needed for those opportunities?

Just a general awareness workshop on the reclamation opportunities. Is there funding available for the person who is going to be laid off who was responsible for that position over the next 12 months? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the remediation question around the Esso Norman Wells field is a little early; they're still planning on producing for the next five to six years, but that's not saying that if someone came forward with a proposal to look at how we're going to get the community involved in a remediation, that type of workshop, I'm certain that the department would have a look at it and consider it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. McNeely.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm glad to hear that response here. Most times, a project of this magnitude, there is never enough time for pre-planning and making the other communities aware that it's going to be a layoff process but it's down the road. In preparation to replace those operational producing opportunities or wage positions, here is another set of opportunities. So I'm glad to hear we're budgeting and being proactive for the reclamation phase. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Minister Schumann.

No, I'll just take his comments as noted. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Okay, thank you. Any further questions, Mr. McNeely?

No more questions. Thank you.

Next we have Mr. Nakimayak.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I'd like to look at petroleum resources, the reductions. I've heard some explanation about the breakdown. I'm just wondering if the ban on drilling in the Arctic would have any further effects for 2017-18 on this program? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll pass that on to the deputy minister, please. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Deputy Minister Jensen.

Thank you, Deputy Jensen. Mr. Nakimayak.