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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. We can compete about who has got a longer memory. Certainly with Giant there was $400,000. It is going to cost the taxpayers probably over a billion dollars, maybe even closer to two by the time it gets remediated. Even as recently as last year with Norman Wells, there is no financial security, or not enough set aside. Now it is $180 million. The Minister could accept a promissory note on the back of a napkin as financial security. That is just not good enough. There is certainly still room for improving and making greater accountability through our legislation. I know the Minister would never accept something on the back of a napkin, but I know that he will be happy to change that legislation to make sure that future Ministers can't do that either. I just want to get into a couple of specifics here. With the Cantung Mine, have we given back this surface lease to the federal government? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

I am told that we haven't yet. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Is that going to happen sometime soon, or how soon? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

I will let Mr. Hagen respond to that question.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Deputy Minister Hagen.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Glad to hear that. I really look forward to getting that lease back to them and reducing our exposure. Let's talk a little bit about Prairie Creek now. This surface lease is in over-hold tenancy. When are we going to put in place full financial security for the assets that are on the ground right now? As any other operator has to have up-front financial security, when are we going to do that for Prairie Creek so that we are not exposed? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Prairie Creek. The government is protected from historic liability at Canadian Zinc Prairie Creek Mine through the terms of the devolution agreement. I understand that Canadian Zinc, the proponent, has met all security requirements under its permits, licence, and authorization. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has set a total security amount at $17,700,000, which the company will be required to post in stages as the project proceeds. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. We could have a great debate here. My concern is the longer our fingerprints are on that through the surface lease the more difficult it is going to be for us to try to make a case to the federal government that they can and should take it back. So we've got the ability to increase the security to cover the existing assets that are on the ground, the existing liabilities; why can't we do something about it now? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

Well, Mr. Chair, I understand that the Mackenzie Land and Water Board sets the security and they've determined that the amount should be $17,070,000.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Time has expired. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to go back to my colleague from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh who was talking about the leases. I guess my first question is: how do they come up with these lease agreement calculations in the small designated authorities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Minister Sebert, Mr. Thompson.