Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have established a working group that is having a look into this right now, currently, which includes ourselves, Public Works and Services, and Lands. As we move forward, we are going to have a look at legislation options we have available to enable geothermal exploration and development in the Northwest Territories, so we are currently working on that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Any further questions from committee? Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under the activity description on page 205, it indicates that this activity includes marketing and promotion of NWT mineral and petroleum resources to attract investment in exploration, development, and production for the benefit of all NWT residents. I am wondering if the Minister can identify the total marketing budget or total dollar amount of resources attached to marketing our resources to attract investment in exploration. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have two people working on this initiative, and then there is about $140,000 put towards it, and also access to some O and M funds, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Without getting to exact detail, counting the two individuals and all the money that is put towards it, the total probably comes to close to $460,000 with salaries included. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Minister, can you repeat the exact amount? I couldn't hear you. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Around $460,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The mandate commitment is quite broad in this area, but one of the lines is to support Aboriginal governments to build capacity in dealing with mining-related activities, and I see we do have an Aboriginal mineral development support program and that funding has remained stable. Is that the total amount of funding in this budget to support Aboriginal governments in capacity-building exercises related to this industry? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As the Member is aware, we took a number of Aboriginal groups down to Mineral Roundup this year, which was a great success. We got letters back from all of them stating it. As we move forward and there is more interest in the mining industry from Aboriginal governments, I believe this line item will be oversubscribed. If it is, we will try to find money from within somewhere else. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So these resources are designed to participate in events like Roundup, but are we providing resources to assist in training potential prospectors, setting up licences, things of that nature so we can get potentially a junior miner started that is Indigenous-owned? Do we have any intention to do something like that to create a strong partnership that way, or is this solely per diem money to get people out to meetings? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we believe, this is a great line item. It is meeting its objective, but we also have the client services in the communities that relate to Aboriginal consultation requirements in the GNWT. We believe they do a great job. They are working on passing along the information on legislation and mineral and petroleum rights and exploration and development activities in their regions.

We also work in partnership with other departments, like education, on how we can get the mining industry into the classrooms, that we are presently, that the Minister of Education has been working on, on a trial basis. We continue to proudly help and move that along.

As the Member is well aware, the mining industry, I am not understating the reliance that we have on the mining industry in the Northwest Territories. We need to promote this in all aspects, be it education or through Aboriginal governments, community relations, or through Members of this House, so we will continue to pursue that. We are also working with the IRC, and we have the geoscience survey and a number of other things that help promote mining in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nothing further at this time.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Any further questions? Mr. Thompson.