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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, it is.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. In the department's business plan which is found on the Department of Finance's website, there's an interesting figure there. It's 12, that shows the number of claims that are in good standing, number of leases in good standing, number of prospecting permits, and virtually all of those have declined from 2014-2015 to 2017-2018. There is this declining trend of either claims being kept in good standing, leases in good standing, number of prospecting permits. Why do we need another deputy mining recorder if all of these trends are in decline? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you look at the new mineral claims that have taken place in the Northwest Territories since 2015-2016 in particular and forward, the growth has been 165 percent, 175 percent, so, as a result of this increase in mineral activity registration transaction plan inquiries, there is a need to ensure that industry clients receive timely approvals of their claims, work-report filings, related transactions, necessary device, and support for their regulatory requirements related to mineral tender and management that is administered by the mining recorder's office are met. The position is intended to provide appropriate support to the mining industry clients. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Minister referred to a 165-percent increase in work. That is not what I am seeing on figure 12 in the business plan. As I said, in fact, it is a declining amount of claims that are in good standing, number of leases in good standing, number of prospecting permits in good standing. Everything is declining, so what figure is the Minister referring to? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will have to have a discussion with the Member, I guess maybe when we are done business plans, but my numbers clearly show there has been an increase in activity of mineral claims, as I said, 165 percent, 175 percent. Registered document filings are up by 695 percent. There are some serious increased activity within this department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, well, whatever the figures the Minister has certainly don't square with what is in the business plan where, you know, the number of claims in good standing declined in 2014-2015: 2,256 down to 1,123 in 2017-2018. That is less than half. The number of leases hasn't declined quite that rapidly, but I just don't see an increase in workload here. I don't know what figures the Minister has that I can't see. That is not what I am seeing here, so, if the Minister could commit to share that information with me, that would be great.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Absolutely, we will share that with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have another question on this one with regard to the Mining Incentive Program. There is a table in the business plan. It's figure 11. That talks about how the money from the Mineral Incentive Program has resulted, at least in the opinion of the department, in a whole bunch of extra spending on mineral exploration. Can someone explain to me what this leveraged spending is all about and why some of it doesn't even occur in the same financial year as the money that is provided? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

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

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I guess I remain to be convinced that the GNWT contributing $400,000 in one year is going to lead to $3.28 million in exploration funding, but I guess at some point I am going to have to meet with the Minister and his staff to get a better explanation because I don't really quite understand or accept some of the figures that are presented here. I am happy to meet with the staff and the Minister if he will make that commitment. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Certainly, we can sit down and have a discussion with the Member, but one thing: the Mineral Incentive Program has now $1 million to it. It is not $400,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Next on the list, we have Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to start by asking if the Minister is aware of the Member's statement that I gave today, talking about the future with potential ownership, of Indigenous groups and governments having potential equity and ownership and mineral development opportunities. I would like to ask a little bit about the Indigenous mineral development support program. It seems as though we have a running $100,000 that we could put into that program every year. Maybe if the Minister could give us a little bit more detail on what that programs consists of, what its successes have been, and what this $100,000 for this year is allocated to? Thank you, Mr. Chair.