Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Members back for the continuation of the Third Session of the Legislative Assembly.

We are now into the final months of the 18^th Legislative Assembly and Ministers and Members have been working hard together to create a better territory for our residents, one in which all people have the support and opportunities they need to be healthy and economically secure, while maintaining their connection to a sustainable and well-managed environment.

I want to recognize everyone in this House for their efforts and their commitment to advancing our work on behalf of Northwest Territories residents over the past three years. We have achieved a lot already by working together and working with other governments, including the Government of Canada and Indigenous and community governments.

Last November, Mr. Speaker, our government was pleased to sign an agreement with the Government of Canada that will help us address housing needs across the Northwest Territories.

The $140 million bilateral agreement on implementing the National Housing Strategy in the Northwest Territories will see Canada invest $90 million in this territory, while the Government of the Northwest Territories will contribute another $50 million over a 10-year period.

Beginning this April, this funding will protect, renew, and expand social and community housing and support the Northwest Territories' priorities related to housing repair, construction, and affordability. Our governments have also agreed to work together on the design and implementation of a new Canada Housing Benefit for the territory, to provide affordability support directly to families and individuals in housing need.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has also negotiated a $60 million carve-out with the Government of Canada, Mr. Speaker, to advance innovative, community-driven housing solutions in the Northwest Territories under the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. Projects under this fund will build and repair community and affordable housing in the Northwest Territories and will be 75 percent cost-shared with Canada.

I know housing remains a priority for all Members and their constituents, Mr. Speaker, and I am pleased that we are now in a position to meaningfully address those needs with Canada.

Our government also continues to work with community governments to develop community housing plans. These plans will provide communities and their stakeholders with the tools to direct the future of housing in their communities. We are currently engaged in this process with Deline, Fort Liard, Jean Marie River, Paulatuk, Whati, and the K'atlodeeche First Nation. Once developed, these plans will provide housing investors, including all levels of government, with the information they need to invest in community housing infrastructure.

Supporting our residents to be healthy and educated is another priority for our government that I know Members share with us, Mr. Speaker, and we continue to deliver and improve on programs, services, and supports Northerners need.

Addressing mental health and addictions remains a priority for us, and last month our government was pleased to announce a $1.8 million investment over three years for cannabis education. Through funding provided under Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program, the Government of the Northwest Territories will develop and deliver a comprehensive and interactive cannabis public education campaign.

This campaign will use traditional media and social media platforms, augmented reality, community-led engagement sessions, and other innovative public-education tools to bring health and safety information to communities across the territory and help individuals make informed decisions about cannabis use.

We were also pleased last month, Mr. Speaker, to announce an agreement with the Government of Canada to invest over $750,000 to support the opioid addiction treatment program in the Northwest Territories. This additional funding will let the Government of the Northwest Territories extend the opioid treatment clinic, currently only available in Yellowknife, to other communities in the territory.

Along with addressing the health and shelter needs of Northwest Territories residents, Mr. Speaker, our government continues to invest in education and skills development so Northerners are able to acquire skills and training to get the jobs they want here in the Northwest Territories.

As part of our commitment in this area, the Government of the Northwest Territories was pleased to open the new $10 million Centre for Mine and Industry Training at the Thebacha Campus of Aurora College in Fort Smith along with the Government of Canada last month.

With $4 million coming from Canada and $6 million from the GNWT, this new facility will allow Aurora College to develop new and innovative programs to support training of Northern residents. Programs that will be supported include heavy equipment operator training, introduction to the mining industry, surface miner, mineral processing operator trainee, introduction to underground mining, underground mining, and diamond driller.

Training Northwest Territories residents for in-demand careers that are available here in the North remains a priority for our government and is a key to our Skills 4 Success plan, which aims to align educational opportunities to labour market needs in our regions and communities.

Mr. Speaker, the combination of classroom and hands-on training the new centre will provide will not only make Northwest Territories graduates more competitive, but will also become more important as the Government of the Northwest Territories continues with plans to transition Aurora College to a polytechnic university.

Of course, Mr. Speaker, we need to keep up our end of the bargain. We encourage our youth to stay in school, and government has a responsibility to make sure that there are good jobs available for them when they get out.

We want our young people to settle down here at home, start families, and contribute to the ongoing growth and prosperity of the Northwest Territories.

People will not live where there are no jobs or opportunities for them, and that is why the Government of the Northwest Territories continues to invest in economic growth and diversification, including investments in infrastructure that will transform the economy of the Northwest Territories for the long term.

Part of keeping that commitment includes investing in local economic diversification, such as the new Hay River fish plant our government announced last month, with support from the Government of Canada.

This project is one of the keys in the Government of the Northwest Territories' strategy to rejuvenate the Great Slave Lake fishery and restore its contribution to a diversified local and territorial economy. Through a partnership with the NWT Fishermen's Federation and their Tu Cho Cooperative, we look forward to transforming the existing fishery and expanding its scope to supply domestic, commercial, and export markets with Great Slave Lake fish and fish products.

Our government's investment in Marine Transportation Services is also contributing to economic diversification in the territory, with three major projects being undertaken at our MTS shipyard in Hay River. These large maintenance and overhaul projects for our own vessels and contract work for the Canadian Coast Guard, scheduled for January to August 2019, will provide off-season employment for 30 MTS employees and another four specialized trades contractors at peak periods of work.

Resource development, Mr. Speaker, has traditionally been the foundation of the Northwest Territories economy and in 2017 accounted for 32 percent of the Northwest Territories economy.

Much of that economic activity has been due to the diamond mines, but the Northwest Territories is about more than diamonds. We are seeing new and renewed exploration activity in so-called "green" or "technology" metals and minerals like copper and cobalt, as well as rare earth elements, lithium, and graphite. We are also seeing a resurgence of interest in the gold and base metals that established our territory.

We also have world-class reserves of natural gas that, as we begin to see a shift to lower-carbon alternatives nationally and internationally, has the potential to meet market needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, lack of infrastructure, including infrastructure for transporting our resources to market, is one of the biggest challenges to economic development the Northwest Territories faces, and this is why we have made investing in this area a priority.

We continue to make progress on the Mackenzie Valley Highway following last June's announcement of another $140 million in combined funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories. This project will connect several communities to the public highway system and create economic opportunities, such as increased tourism and access for resource development. Work currently under way includes the Great Bear River Bridge, the Wrigley to Mount Gaudet access road, and planning and environmental studies that will lead to obtaining permits for road construction.

We are also making progress on the Tlicho all-season road, with Canada providing 25 percent of the funding for this P3 project. North Star Infrastructure was announced as the preferred proponent last November, and we were pleased to learn that the Tlicho Government is considering taking an equity position in the project shortly after that. Construction of this 97 kilometre road is expected to begin in the fall of 2019, subject to regulatory approvals.

Construction of an all-weather road into the Slave Geological Province would address the lack of access to the world-class mineral deposits located in the region and help attract further investment by lowering the cost of mineral exploration and development. We currently have a funding application to advance this project in with the federal government and look forward to hearing good news about it soon.

The high cost of energy, particularly for remote off-road projects, is one of the biggest challenges to resource development in the territory. Addressing this need will not only improve prospects for economic development, but also provides an opportunity for greening the mining industry.

Our government and the Government of Canada made a major step in this direction last month, when we announced over $1.2 million in combined investments to advance the Taltson Hydroelectricity Expansion project. These investments will support Indigenous engagement and fund initial engineering work.

The Taltson project will transform the Northwest Territories' energy system, providing current and future industry with clean and renewable energy, driving economic growth, and mitigating a major source of the territory's GHG emissions.

A significant portion of the funding announced will go to the Akaitcho Territory Government, Northwest Territories Metis Nation, and Salt River First Nation to establish their business model frameworks to actively participate in the development of the project.

Mr. Speaker, Indigenous participation and partnership in the Taltson expansion project will ensure Northwest Territories Indigenous governments and their people will benefit meaningfully from this development, including new revenues, access to jobs and business opportunities, and help ending their reliance on diesel to power their communities.

I want to recognize Canada's Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Northern Affairs and Internal Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, for his leadership in advancing Taltson with his federal colleagues. We expect last month's announcement was just the beginning for this important project and look forward to hearing more good news from Canada on significantly more funding for the Taltson Expansion project in budget 2019.

The investment in Taltson also reflects our shared commitment with the Government of Canada to address the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories and transition towards lower-carbon energy options.

Expanding the Taltson Hydroelectric facility will increase the availability of clean, renewable energy to help the Northwest Territories reduce its reliance on diesel, helping to reduce the cost of living for our residents and allowing the territory to meet its commitments under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

Advancing Taltson supports key components under the 2030 Energy Strategy, which has been developed to guide the development of secure, affordable, and sustainable energy for transportation, heat and electricity, support energy efficiency and conservation, and promote renewable and alternative energy solutions.

While the potential benefits of Taltson are still several years away, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada are also addressing more immediate energy needs. Last October, we were pleased to announce the investment of $23 million under the Low Carbon Energy Leadership Fund for a number of initiatives that will support implementation of the Government of the Northwest Territories' 2030 Energy Strategy, including energy retrofits for public housing, energy retrofits for marine transportation vessels and ferries, and active forestry carbon sequestration.

This funding will also support a four-year $1.8 million government greenhouse gas grant program designed to support emissions reduction projects and initiatives undertaken by Northwest Territories community governments, municipalities, and Indigenous governments.

The Low Carbon Energy Leadership Fund investment is also being used to enhance programming offered by the Arctic Energy Alliance and to introduce new programs, including support for energy upgrades for owners of older, less efficient homes and low-income homeowners. Funding will also be available to support NGOs for energy retrofits.

Mr. Speaker, the upcoming sitting will be a busy one. We have a lot of work on our table, including consideration of the 2019-2020 Main Estimates and important new legislation to support the responsible management of Northwest Territories land, environment, and resources, protect the health of our residents, and support their education.

While this looks like a lot, it is important to remember that we have already accomplished a lot as Members of the 18^th Legislative Assembly. We have already demonstrated that we can do good work together. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Let's build on this success and our commitment to working together on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories as we embark on our final budget session together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I will deliver the budget address on Wednesday, February 6, 2019. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, that, pursuant to rule 36(3), the Minister's statement delivered previously by the Honourable Premier, February 2019 Sessional Statement, be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

The motion is carried. The sessional statement delivered by the Premier will now be before Committee of the Whole. Masi.

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back, colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, the 2019 IRC Election for IRC Chair and CEO All Candidates Forum took place on Monday, January 28^th, in Inuvik, with all 42 directors from the six Inuvialuit communities of Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, and Ulukhaktok in attendance. The event was broadcast live on Facebook and brought many of the issues that we face as a people to light, as well as all of the achievements over the last three years, looking outward to where we would like to be in the future as we make decisions for our children, our grandchildren, and future generations.

The election took place on Tuesday, January 29^th, with seven prominent candidates from the IRC. Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, through the 42 community directors, re-elected Duane Ningaqsiq Smith for another three-year term.

Mr. Speaker, the position of chair and CEO of the IRC is a tough job. Mr. Smith has championed many initiatives, such as the Inuit/Crown Partnership Committee, which I am honoured to be a part of; and direct funding agreements with the federal and territorial governments, which have brought millions of dollars for housing, health, wellness, training dollars, and environmental and wildlife conservation, to name a few. These not only benefited the ISR, Mr. Speaker, but the Northwest Territories as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, the mandate of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is to continually improve the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the Inuvialuit through the implementation of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and by all other means available.

Some corporate goals of the IRC are the representation of an advancement of Inuvialuit interests in areas of external relations, including federal, territorial, and municipal governments, circumpolar and other Aboriginal organizations, private sector, and special interest groups; the preservation and growth of the financial compensation flowing from the IFA; and the distribution of accumulated wealth to beneficiaries.

Mr. Speaker, 2019 will mark the 35^th anniversary of the signing of the IFA, celebrating the elders who had the vision for the future of the Inuvialuit and celebrating the many Inuvialuit successes.

Mr. Speaker, I stress that the GNWT must work proactively with Indigenous governments for similarly beneficial results.

Mr. Speaker, once again I would like to congratulate Mr. Duane Ningaqsiq Smith as chair and CEO, working toward our own self-determination, and all the best for the next three years and beyond. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 18^th Assembly will adjourn in 198 days. Thinking about it makes me anxious because we have so much to do by then. We all know that feeling of leaving town Saturday for a big holiday, with a full plate of work, things to get ready for the house sitter, and bags to pack. That is the feeling: lots to do, not much time. It is time to prioritize.

Mr. Speaker, according to the GNWT's mandate tracker, 109 of 188 mandate commitments are not yet fulfilled. I have questions about those marked fulfilled. For example, has the government fulfilled its commitment to reduce poverty? My answer is not yet, but using the government's rationale, 79 commitments have been fulfilled and an additional 109 are in progress.

Mr. Speaker, the mandate category lagging furthest behind is the economy, environment, and climate change. Forty-three of 68 commitments are still in progress, including 10 pieces of legislation, completing land use plans, and improving access to agricultural land. That is after the government's budget cutting has reduced the staff of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources by 10 percent. The department doesn't have the capacity to complete the work outlined in the mandate. This is substantial work that is important to the economic well-being of the territory as we embrace devolution and move toward the closure of the diamond mines.

Mr. Speaker, the category of community wellness and safety is also lagging behind, with 23 of 64 commitments in progress. We haven't yet seen the plan for recovering from addictions promised in the Mind and Spirit strategy tabled in 2016. Given that the homecare study is not yet complete, I wonder if the government is going to develop and implement an action plan in the next seven months. These are just samples of the unfulfilled commitments in every priority area.

Mr. Speaker, I ask myself why we have fallen behind, and one obvious answer is the work we have taken on through bilateral agreements with the federal government. We have taken Ottawa's priorities as our own, as the sessional statement demonstrated, because they are bringing substantial investment to the table. This money is welcome, of course, but it comes at a price. We are not fulfilling commitments we are funding ourselves.

Mr. Speaker, I am calling on my Caucus colleagues to meet and examine the mandate. We need to identify our priorities among all those in progress to ensure as many are fulfilled as possible in the next 198 days. Mahsi.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, throughout the public service there is one dominating topic of discussion, the possibility of a government strike. Workers are disgruntled. They have been without a contract for three years. Meanwhile, the cost of everything is going up, and none of us has a choice about whether to pay the cost. Fuel, travel, power, food, nothing is spared from the increasing cost of living.

Mr. Speaker, in this fiscal climate the essential services that our government provides to its citizens become more and more important and we need to recognize and respect the public servants who provide those services. These are highly trained, professional, competent, and caring people. Teachers, nurses, engineers, project managers, accountants, all these people working for this government provide the services that our citizens need and count on.

Mr. Speaker, in a soft economy those services are relied upon even more than ever, and we are living in a soft economy right now. Small businesses have already noted a steep decline in sales and income just in the past few months. Confidence in spending is down, and a possible strike is just a rumour at this point. Imagine the actual impact of an actual work stoppage across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, no one disputes that, as leaders of the Northwest Territories, it is incumbent upon this government to lead in a fiscally responsible way, especially during economically challenging times, and that means serious and relentless scrutiny of the dollars that we spend.

However, as leaders, we also have a responsibility to respect our partners and citizens, our partners who are the dedicated employees of this government and our citizens who benefit from and rely on the services that government provides. In this case, Mr. Speaker, that means that we need to roll up our sleeves, get back to the table, set aside our differences, and seek compromise.

Mr. Speaker, our economy, our public service, and our citizens need leadership. We need teamwork and partnership. A work stoppage will not achieve anything or do anyone any good. I urge both the government and the UNW to go to work and get an agreement done, as there is no more important a matter for Northerners at this time than this one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back, colleagues, to the House.

2018 Highlights in the Sahtu Region: Mr. Speaker, before we start our review of the budget for the upcoming year I want to celebrate some of the highlights of 2018 in the Sahtu. It was great news when Enbridge completed its pipeline repair and Imperial Oil resumed production in Norman Wells.

Mr. Speaker, it has taken decades, but our determined efforts to build the Mackenzie Highway are finally paying off. Last June the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada announced funding totalling $140 million to build a bridge over the Great Bear River near Tulita, construct a 15 kilometre all-season road from Wrigley to Mount Gaudet, and to do environmental and planning studies for future segments of the all-weather road highway.

In October the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Department of Infrastructure agreed to work together to advance the environmental assessment process for the Mackenzie Valley Highway. This road work will bring new opportunities to residents and businesses and deliver government services in the Sahtu at an affordable rate.

At the same time a new era in local healthcare began in September, with the opening of the health centre and long-term care facility in Norman Wells.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add that the Deline Got'ine Government and the NWT Housing Corporation are working on a community housing strategy that will include a needs analysis and a long-term partnership.

The work we are doing in the Sahtu region fits nicely into our efforts to raise our profile in Canada and around the world. In September the Special Senate Committee on the Arctic visited the Northwest Territories to see first-hand how we are meeting our challenges and opportunities and how Canada can help us do that. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Another positive development is Canada's new Arctic and Northern Policy Framework. Indigenous governments and the Government of the Northwest Territories are working together to make sure that Canada includes the issues that are important to us in the Northwest Territories. This is really critical because it is Canada's way of publicly setting its northern priorities. After all our hard work, we should see a final document from Canada fairly soon. Most of all, I look forward to federal contributions that would flow from it.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the great work being done in the Sahtu and the positive impact it is having on the residents. I know this will continue into 2019, and I look forward to the results and achievements ahead. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. [Translation] We have a guest in the House. We have Daryl Dolynny here. I would like to thank him for joining us today. We also have Sandra Bishop for Behchoko [translation ends]. Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am excited to be back in this House. The work we do here is an opportunity to lay a strong foundation for the future of our territory and the people who have elected us. We have the chance to address the issues which affect our shared futures. We have the opportunity to get it right and to chart a clear path toward a healthy and prosperous future for all the peoples we represent. Mr. Speaker, there are very serious concerns that compel us to make sure we get it right.

Northern workers in the public service have not had real job security for some time. Three years without a collective agreement is simply unacceptable for the largest employer in the Northwest Territories. Northern owned and operated businesses continue to struggle with too much red tape, broken procurement policies, and a lack of access to crucial sources of new capital to grow and sustain their business. Municipal governments are still underfunded, and yet this government continues to download new responsibilities; access to information, cannabis control, emergency response services, homelessness, all without additional funding to address resourcing these pressing issues. This is forcing our communities to raise taxes while cutting programs and services to make ends meet. In addition to this, there is a sugar tax, a carbon tax, land transfer tax, airport tax. The list goes on, Mr. Speaker, and for a government mandated to tackle the ever-growing cost of living, it is absurd that its policies are directly impacting the pocketbooks of Northerners.

The time now is for decisive action. It is time for us as representatives of the people to pursue the policies and legislation needed for economic growth. It is now that we must put niceties aside for real and frank discussion of these pressing issues at hand. Mr. Speaker, we must not merely pawn off nice words at the expense of everyday northern families and the communities that we serve. People are anxious, people are frustrated, and this government must act to ensure prosperity, growth, jobs, and most importantly, that our cost of living is held in check.

This is the beginning of the final stretch, Mr. Speaker, and we must be certain that what we do here today is for the benefit of all people. Thank you.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I have not had much good to say about the socio-economic agreements signed by this government. Another one, for the NICO Project, was signed on January 29, 2019, at a mining conference in Vancouver.

I will be the first to admit that this most recent agreement is better than the previous ones, but there is still a long way to go to generate and retain real benefits for Northwest Territories residents. Improvements in this most recent agreement include:

• Employment and purchasing targets are set for the closure phase;
• A staffed office in the Northwest Territories is to be established, primarily for human resources purposes;
• There are specific targets for training, apprenticeships, and educational awards;
• A training and learning centre in Whati is to be created;
• Equal opportunity strategies are set out for women;
• A social legacy project is to be carried out, but there is no requirement for consultation, no notice, and no specified value; and
• Annual reports are public, and there are to be annual community visits.

Then there are the familiar deficiencies. The failure of the agreement to set or require any form of sanctions or penalties for non-compliance renders it rather meaningless. It is another best efforts arrangement. It is not clear how the reviews of previous socio-economic agreements have fed into this new one. The review that I tabled in the House in the last sitting was highly critical of our previous efforts to capture and retain benefits, and this agreement is not a whole lot better.

Of greatest concern is the timing and lack of consultation with the Tlicho government, which boycotted the signing in Vancouver. On the face of it, the lack of consultation appears to be a breach of Chapter 23 of the Tlicho Agreement and certainly not in accordance with GNWT's Respect, Recognition and Responsibility Approach to Engaging with Aboriginal Governments.

The signing of this agreement also comes just before the new Mineral Resources Act is brought forward that could raise the bar for benefits agreements. The signing of this agreement seems to be more of a news event to show how the NWT is open for the mining industry than a serious effort at benefit retention. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back to the House, Mr. Speaker, and welcome to my colleagues. I am looking forward to working with all of you over the next six weeks, especially in this budget session. We have a lot of important work to complete. Mr. Speaker [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, of course, the KFN, a nation of Dene people who live on the south shore of Great Slave Lake who are signatories to Treaty 8, have a rich history far beyond first contact with European settlers. In fact, anthropological data suggests that, before European contact, many First Nations societies were matriarchal, or led by women.

Looking to the future, Mr. Speaker, Chief Martel herself is part of that rich history. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, Chief Martel's enthusiasm is very exciting. Before taking on her role, she was an educator at Chief Sunrise School, where she worked in the Aboriginal Head Start Program.

I understand that she is eager to work on education, job training, housing, and language and cultural revitalization. These admirable goals are shared by many Members in this House, and so I hope my colleagues will join me in wishing Chief Martel, as well as the new council, all the best.

Before I conclude, Mr. Speaker, I would like also to say a big mahsi to former Chief Roy Fabian for his many years of service to the K'atlodeeche First Nations. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Mr. Speaker, last month the Nahendeh hosted a number of exciting sporting events for youth and adults. I had the opportunity to volunteer, be a spectator, and even participate in a number of those.

On January 11^th and 12^th the Hamlet of Fort Liard hosted the 5^th Annual Four on Four Soccer Tournament. They had over 60 athletes from Wrigley, Fort Simpson, Hay River, and Fort Liard participate. There were four co-ed divisions, ranging from the 12-and-under division and ending with the 19-and-under division. Spectators enjoyed the weekend with lots of amazing soccer. I would like to thank the cooks, recreation department, and coaches for making this event a great success for the athletes and families.

On January 18^th to 20^th we witnessed amazing sportsmanship and enjoyment during the annual Paul Stipdonk Memorial Soccer Tournament. The community of Fort Simpson saw over 80 athletes participate in five co-ed divisions, ranging from the four-and-under division and ending with the 12-and-under divisions. The four communities of Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Sambaa K'e, and Fort Liard participated in this event. As in the past, the high school students coached the teams and Chris Stipdonk, son of Paul, refereed the majority of the games. Along with soccer, the youth were able to attend a movie night, skills competition, and free gym time.

On January 25^th to 27^th the Fort Simpson Recreation Center hosted the 32^nd Annual Fort Simpson Men's Senior Hockey Tournament, with five teams registered. Fort Simpson, Deline, Hay River, and Fort Providence were represented. The Deline Braves emerged as the tournament champions, with the Hay River Huskies coming in second and the Nahanni Inn Flyers placing third.

The organizers would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped out with the adult dance and family dance, in keeping score, and the Moosehide Mammas in providing the little extras that make this tournament successful. They would like to thank all of the platinum and gold sponsors; Rowes Construction, Simpson Air, Nahanni Inn, Village of Fort Simpson, Liidlii Kue First Nation, Dehcho Friendship Centre, and Aurora Ford.

Finally, to bring the weekend to a successful close, the Fort Simpson Curling Club hosted the 29^th Annual Merchants Bonspiel. There were 13 teams competing in three events. There was a team from Hay River and a junior team that participated. The winning team of Marc Bertrand, Dani Thompson, Troy Hardisty, and Anastasia Panshyna were the single undefeated team. The club had a special recognition for Ted Grants for his support throughout the years. The organizers would like to thank the cooks, volunteers, corporate sponsors, and the teams who helped make this a successful event. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend we saw the annual Wolfpack Invitational Basketball Tournament, with teams from Fort Smith, Fort Nelson, and Fort Simpson participating with 12 teams in five divisions. There was a lot of great basketball played that weekend.

In closing, I would like to congratulate the Nahanni Inn Flyers for winning the annual Hay River Rusty Blades Hockey Tournament, where there were 12 teams in three pools. In the end, we played Yellowknife in the final and won 3-2. Special recognition goes out to Shawn Gillis for being the youngest player on the team and scoring his first old-timer's goal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about a resource development project that has been in the works for the last several years within the riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The project that I am referring to is the Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, which is located 100 kilometres southeast of Yellowknife at Thor Lake.

Mr. Speaker, this project is a unique economic opportunity for not only the NWT, but for our country and our global allies. I say this because currently there are no such resource development projects that exist anywhere in North America. That is because the vast majority of the world's rare earth reserves lie in China, who currently supplies 86 percent of global rare earth demand. However, China's dominance in this industry will not be eternal because, if the current rate of production is maintained, they have about 10 to 15 years' worth of estimated supply remaining. This opens the door for a more competitive market for other countries to supply this ever-increasing demand for this resource.

Mr. Speaker, for those who may not know, let me share with you some of the many uses where rare earth elements are used throughout the world. Generally, rare earths are manufactured in small quantities by large industries and placed in such products as televisions, cell phones, computers, automobiles, jets, and medical devices. Rare earths are also widely used within renewable energy resources, such as turbines, electric cars, energy-efficient lighting, and rechargeable batteries. Given the ongoing global transformation of energy systems, analysts predict that the demand for rare earth elements will continue to grow in the foreseeable future.

In addition to these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I also point out that the project has great potential for helping to alleviate the growing economic woes the NWT is experiencing due to the receding life of our diamond mines. Not only would this project help employ local people during the construction period, but Avalon, the company building the project, will have many jobs available during production.

Overall, Mr. Speaker, I think the project will open many doors for the NWT because I believe the new emerging industry growing within our territory has strong potential to attract spin-off industries and will benefit the entire NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with this recent cold snap, several schools across the Northwest Territories have closed because of extreme cold. Even when these closures only last the morning or a full day, they remind us how important one's environment, both inside and outside, is to the students' ability to learn successfully.

Families and community leaders in Aklavik remain concerned about the adequacy of Moose Kerr School, not our dedicated teachers, not our hardworking students, not the many groups that also use the school, but the building itself.

This winter alone, the school has shut down a handful of times, not because of the weather, but because of building issues. Although the GNWT has done various maintenance projects over the years, that work does not seem to have caught all the problems.

This is very troubling to the community, who want their concerns to be heard and for the students to have a reliable, high-quality environment for their education. Right now the GNWT has said that small repair initiatives over time will make the building last another 20 years. I appreciate that those important repairs have been happening and that capital planning must address the needs of the whole territory, but there is still a disconnect between the government's assessment and the needs of the community.

The GNWT has also said that, with the current utilization rate, any future replacement of Moose Kerr School, which was built 50 years ago and last had a major retrofit 20 years ago, would be smaller than the current school.

I'm hearing from the community that a smaller school in better condition is preferable to the current situation. You will not be surprised to hear, Mr. Speaker, but I'll have more to say about Moose Kerr School as this session continues. Thank you, and I'll have questions later today.

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by the Member for Yellowknife Centre on October 19, 2017, regarding Northwest Territories Housing Corporation modular units construction.

In terms of modular versus stick-built construction, experience has shown that costs can be comparable in more northern communities due to shipping and transportation costs. Where a community can be accessed through the road system, savings are expected from a modular approach.

The original calculation of construction cost savings did include the payment of a cash advance to Concept Energy Services Ltd.

The amount of the advance was $1.34 million and was supported by the signed legal agreement requiring partial recoveries from subsequent progress-draw payments as the work is completed. This advance has now been fully recovered from Concept Energy Services Ltd.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation provided Concept Energy Services Ltd. with the advance in order to assist with up-front material purchases. This is consistent with practices in the modular home industry, where up-front capital is required. This advance was provided in accordance with Section 99 of the Financial Administration Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by the Member for Frame Lake on February 12, 2018, regarding resource royalties in the 2018-2019 Main Estimates.

The Diamonds, Royalties and Financial Analysis Division of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is responsible for providing the Department of Finance with the mineral and oil and gas royalties forecasts used in the Government of the Northwest Territories budgets. The Department of Finance is responsible for all tax revenue forecasts, including tobacco tax revenues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Returns to oral questions. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by the Member for Yellowknife Centre on February 22, 2018, regarding the housing core need action plan.

The estimated $20 million of planned activities for 2018-2019 will be resourced from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's 2018-2019 Capital Plan, the base funded programs included in the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's 2018-2019 Main Estimates, and available internal cash resources realized from sources such as the sale of housing assets, mortgage collection efforts, and any residual budget surpluses. A current assessment of the available internal cash resources was undertaken during the development of the 2018-2019 Corporate Plan and will continue to be assessed as part of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's annual business planning process.

The planned investments set out in the "Towards Level Ground: Addressing Persistent Core Need in the Northwest Territories" report were identified, taking into account the feedback received from the Housing Engagement Survey and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's available resources.

Specific areas of core need will be addressed through a variety of Northwest Territories Housing Corporation initiatives and programs. The following are approximate projected numbers of households to be assisted by initiative: emergency repair - 348; seniors Aging in Place retrofits - 150; new unit construction - 135; major homeownership repairs - 84; rent supplement programs - 100; policy renewal - 40; lease-to-own repairs - 90; public housing portfolio rebalancing - 30; new seniors' housing - 40; housing support pilot - 20; new home program - 11; community housing support initiative - 10; Habitat for Humanity - 3; Sahtu homeless shelter - 4; and Northern Pathways - 12.

Recognizing that a number of the planned investments set out in this plan involve territory-wide application-based programs as well as a draft future year capital plan, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is unable to provide an exact regional breakdown of these investments at this time. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is planning to include in its annual corporate plan a status report of each of the plan's initiatives, including actual spending by region.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's 2018-2019 Main Estimates includes a $600,000 funding allocation to the Rent Supplement Program. Recognizing that the historical utilization rate of this program has been approximately 40 percent of that amount, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation considers the current base budget adequate at this time. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation will continue to assess the results of the new program and explore opportunities to align with upcoming federal programming. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Returns to oral questions. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by the Member for Kam Lake on October 31, 2018, regarding the Union of Northern Workers and the Government of the Northwest Territories' negotiations.

The GNWT and the UNW received correspondence from mediator Mr. Vince Ready on November 15, 2018, confirming the views that he expressed to the parties on conclusions of mediation on October 26, 2018. He confirmed that, in his view, further mediation talks should be scheduled to explore terms of settlement. Additional mediation dates have been scheduled with Mr. Ready for early February 2019. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent who has joined us in the gallery today. She is here as a chaperone for the Pages from the Deh Cho. She is a generous volunteer, a beloved teacher, and my aunt, Ms. June Simpson. Welcome.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to welcome the many UNW local presidents who joined us in the House today, but in particular I want to recognize president of Local 11 and Yellowknife North resident, Mr. Frank Walsh. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Deh Cho.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize the employees from Fort Providence, the Department of Infrastructure, plus the president of the local GNWT employees of Fort Providence, Mr. Darrel Gargan. I believe he is somewhere in the gallery. Mahsi.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Sean Whitcomb, chief steward of UNW Local 3. Thank you for joining us today.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent, Ms. Arlene Hansen, who is joining us here today and chaperoning our Pages this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Ernie Bernhardt, who said the opening prayer of the Legislative Assembly, and also, his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Bernhardt. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also recognize Louise Leblanc, Local 13 president from Fort Simpson, as part of the Union of Northern Workers, as well as Mr. Ernie Bernhardt and Beatrice Bernhardt, who are family friends. I had the opportunity to work with them in Kugluktuk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a few constituents from the Great Slave riding with us today. Ernie and Beatrice Bernhardt are with us today, as well as Daryl Dolynny, who is a former member and current CEO of Avens and a resident of the Great Slave riding. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us. It is 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 my Member's statement was on the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation's 2019 election. My questions are for the Premier on government-to-government relations.

Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how are we, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, holding ourselves accountable in relation to our obligations for the implementation of the land claims agreements in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. The Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to respecting the provisions of land claim agreements and to fulfilling its obligations under all Northwest Territories land claims, especially since we are also a signatory of the land claims. We see it as our land claims, as well.

Through implementation committees, which include representation for Canada, the Indigenous government, and the Government of the Northwest Territories, the parties discuss the ongoing implementation of land claim agreements and work to resolve any issues that may arise. Thank you.

It is good to hear that the Premier recognizes it as a territorial land claim, as well. That holds us accountable. How will the Government of the Northwest Territories work with Indigenous governments to build better working policies around our land claims agreements so that we can work more closely together as we move towards self-government and our own self-determination?

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed through the Respect, Recognition, and Responsibility document to work collaboratively with Northwest Territories Indigenous governments, including those with settled land claim agreements, on policies and approaches to public program and service delivery that reflect common interests and address shared concerns.

As Indigenous governments move toward self-determination, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working collaboratively to support capacity building, the transition to self-government jurisdiction, and the delivery of public and Indigenous government programs and services.

As well, we formally recognize Aboriginal governments through memorandums of understanding, where we commit to meet bilaterally at least twice a year to discuss and resolve issues of concern or mutual issues.

I appreciate the response in talking about bilateral agreements and other ways of advocating for funding for our regions. Leading from that question, Mr. Speaker, will the Premier commit to advocating or working side-by-side with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in Ottawa as climate change continues to affect the infrastructure in Nunakput?

Yes, we are commit today working very closely with the IRC in Ottawa not only on climate change, but other issues that affect us, such as offshore oil and gas and fisheries, among other things.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that. It's good to see that the government is open to working and actually travelling together to Ottawa to advocate. We are stronger together. That leads me to my next question, Mr. Speaker: talk about travelling. Will the Premier commit to taking all of Cabinet up to Nunakput and meet with all levels of government on issues that affect our residents before the 18^th Assembly wraps up?

Cabinet open houses are a valuable opportunity for all of us in Cabinet to hear directly from people in each riding. We have two Cabinet open houses left to do, and we are prepared and looking forward to going to Nunakput, and we will hold Cabinet open houses in both of these ridings that we have not attended yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier. As I mentioned in my statement, more than half the commitments the Members of the 18^th Assembly made in our mandate have not yet been fulfilled, and many of them are of immediate importance to our future. My question for the Premier is: what is the plan to complete the 109 outstanding commitments in the next seven months? Mahsi.

Masi. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are 230 mandate commitments for the 18^th Legislative Assembly. Some of these are specific and targeted. Others are very broad and focused on fundamental issues that have faced our territory and require long-term efforts. With that said, we are committed to advancing each of these mandate commitments and, where possible, completing them. There are many positive advancements being made and tracked on the mandate reporting website. Between now and the end of this Assembly, the government will continue to work toward fulfilling the mandate commitments of the 18^th Assembly.

I thank the Premier for that answer, but I am not satisfied with it because, in the three years to date, less than half of the mandate commitments have been fulfilled, so why will we have confidence on this side of the House that in fact the rest will be fulfilled in seven months?

As of February 1, 2019, we are reporting on the implementation of the mandate. We have 123 commitments fulfilled, 107 commitments in progress, and zero commitments in the planning stage.

It seems that two commitments have gone into the fulfilled category since I did my research. My question, however, remains: with more than a hundred commitments still not fulfilled, what confidence can the Premier give us that in fact they will be fulfilled in the next seven months?

As a government, we are working very hard and we are committed to fulfilling all of the mandates, and we will be reviewing the commitments as we go forward. At some point, we will make a determination. Some of them we know are ongoing commitments, as I said. Some of them, the commitments are very broad, so I think a lot of them are ongoing. We will be reviewing each of them to determine if they will be fulfilled or not, and, at some point in the next seven months, we can report on our progress.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question at this time is to ask the Premier whether he is going to involve Regular Members in the discussion about commitments that still need to be fulfilled in the balance of this term so that we can add our voices to the priorities that are established.

We track and report progress on all the commitments and, as always, we welcome feedback and input from the Members as to what the priorities should be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have seen these regional wellness councils become part of our health system and the Minister has talked about how well it's working, so there are some questions I need to ask because constituents and people have been asking me these questions. Can the Minister of Health and Social Services confirm: does the Department of Health and Social Services and NWT Health and Social Services provide the standard orientation for regional wellness councils on what their roles and responsibilities are? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is an orientation manual for the regional wellness council members on their roles and responsibilities. The handbook is updated on a regular basis. It's currently being reviewed to include updating information around additional guidelines and whatnot to make their jobs better understood and more clear. This will be shared, obviously, with the regional wellness councils across the Northwest Territories. There is a training session coming up where we are inviting all regional wellness council members to come in for an update and to be familiarized with the updated manual. However, as you know, Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that all the regional wellness council members in the Deh Cho have actually attended training, have participated in training that either occurred in 2016 or more recently in February 2018.

Thank you to the Minister for that answer. Can the Minister tell us, this orientation, do they do it annually, is it biannually, or is it just when you get appointed, and do they do it as a complete group, or is it individualized?

Generally speaking, members receive their orientation at the beginning of their first appointment. This helps to get them familiar with the roles and responsibilities of the council and how to engage with the public and also with the authority. The leadership council, which are the chairs of the regional wellness councils, I met with them in the spring and they identified that ongoing support for the regional wellness council members is something that is really important to them. The department and the authority are presently developing some options to help increase refreshes and other orientations and other mechanisms to make sure that the regional wellness councils are as up-to-date as possible on current programs and services that are being provided so that they can provide advice in a meaningful way.

I am very happy to hear that through the Minister and that we are moving forward on that. Some of the questions that constituents bring to me, I know the process, but what happens if board members hear concerns about health and social services and the system and how do they bring these concerns forward presently?

The regional wellness councillors are an incredibly important group of individuals, and they have the opportunity to bring information both from the public to the system, but also from the system to the public. Regional wellness council members are encouraged to obviously contact the chairperson of the respective wellness councils and to add items of concern to the agendas of those councils. They also have an opportunity, when appropriate, to go to the chief operating officer of a region, who may be able to provide them updates or information if they are looking for that information so that they can share it with the residents of their communities and their surrounding areas. The following discussions with the regional wellness councils, the chairs may also escalate concerns up to the board itself. We have set it up so that responses to concerns and questions brought by the leadership council to the board from Regional Wellness Council members have a 30-day turnaround time to get those Regional Wellness Council members a response.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that information. So a board member comes to the chair. The chair brings it to the meeting. The meeting brings it to the territorial leadership board. What is the follow-up? What I am hearing right now from a number of the board members is that they don't know where their concerns are being brought forth. I think the Minister has explained the system, and maybe I am missing something, but can he explain what that process is? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I indicated, there are several different ways for information to come in and different levels that it can go to, which means that there are several different ways for that information to come back.

If the Regional Wellness Council member is seeking just generic or general information from the chief operating officer, the chief operating officer can provide that directly to the council member or have their staff do so. If the information has been escalated up through the chair to the board, the information will pass, then, through the chair of that particular wellness council to the wellness council members.

As a note, Mr. Speaker, I did have an opportunity to meet with the leadership council in the spring, and there were a number of concerns raised about mechanisms to provide the council and the Regional Wellness Council members with some support to make sure that that information is flowing effectively, because, to the Member's point, it hasn't always. There have been some growing pains.

We are looking at providing some additional supports to that unit so that there are more people providing that information on a regular basis and making sure it is getting back. Much like all the Ministers have supports here, we want to make sure that there are supports to the board members as well so that they can help flow information as seamlessly as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. I have looked at the NICO Socio-Economic Agreement, but there are no sanctions or penalties for non-compliance or failure to reach targets. It is basically an unenforceable best efforts arrangement. For example, with employment and training targets, why not make a payment into a training or education fund or program if the targets aren't reached? Can the Minister explain why our government continues to sign best efforts agreements without any teeth, without any sanctions or penalties? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government has long taken an approach of working in collaboration and partnership with industry and Indigenous governments, which has evolved from a time when we did not have the authorities and responsibilities that we are going to be having since devolution has taken place.

That said, we believe that our approach is working. These agreements have been signed and fostered billions of dollars in procurement and thousands of jobs for residents of the Northwest Territories since they were introduced in the 1990s, Mr. Speaker. The socio-economic agreements are one of those tools that we use to bring our partnerships to the table. There are targets that are set, but these are just targets. We are responsible for a degree of this because we are responsible for workforce development.

With that being said, again, as I have said, these are successful based on our accountability, and we do demand a face-to-face meeting with the companies and Indigenous governments and ourselves and local communities. We believe these things are working. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for confirming that this is another one of those unenforceable agreements. I tabled a University of Victoria study in the fall that pointed out how our socio-economic agreements are rather poor, and lots of ways to improve that. I would like the Minister to explain how that review, or any other work that is going on within the department, of our weak socio-economic agreements played into what was negotiated with Fortune Minerals for the NICO Project.

As the Member may not know, this agreement with Fortune has been in the works for some time, and we will continue to work on it. We signed with them last week in Vancouver. Its structure and its approach has been based on previous agreements that we have negotiated and put into place with the Government of the Northwest Territories. While we are reviewing our socio-economic agreements, the work is ongoing, and it has not reached a point where any conclusions or decisions have been made or could be reflected in the Fortune agreement.

The Minister didn't answer my question, but of course, he is not obligated to do that.

The Tlicho government issued its own news release on the signing of this agreement, the NICO Agreement, and they said that they believe it is a breach of the Tlicho Agreement and entirely inconsistent with this government's policy on engagement with Indigenous governments. Can the Minister confirm that there was no real consultation with the Tlicho government before the signing of this agreement and explain why?

For those of you who don't know, these are agreements on broad benefits for the Northwest Territories. It was negotiated with Fortune Minerals by our government and my department specifically on behalf of all residents of the Northwest Territories, including those in the Tlicho region. There is no requirement to engage the Tlicho government. We had hoped that, given this level of benefit to the Tlicho people, they would participate in the ceremonial signing agreement and be witnesses to this, but they chose not to.

That said, in December we met with the Tlicho government to discuss the contents of the SEA. We presented them with the substance of the agreement, including employment and procurement targets, and took comments from them ahead of finalizing and sharing our final SEA with them and Fortune last week.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to thank the Minister again for confirming that there was no serious consultation. You would think that our government would talk to the Tlicho government before deciding where the learning centre might be located or where a legacy project might be located. That is not the way we should be doing business.

Mr. Speaker, lastly, it appears that this agreement was rushed through without consultation with the Tlicho government, signed at a mining conference down south, and entered into before a new higher bar might be established in the Mineral Resources Act. Can the Minister explained why this agreement was signed in Vancouver and rushed through before the Mineral Resources Act might establish higher standards? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

As the Member knows, we are going to be sharing the specifics of our bill very soon in this Legislative Assembly, and that would be an appropriate time to comment on that.

With that, I would like to say that, generally, legislation of this type takes periods of years to come to and enforce after supporting regulations are developed. I wouldn't anticipate that we would want to wait until that act came into force to pass negotiation benefits for our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Infrastructure, also the Minister responsible for the Energy Division.

Mr. Speaker, we have committed to capturing local alternatives to fossil fuel usage, such as hydro. This government, along with the federal government, has made some public announcements recently, as well as provided some funding recently with regard to the potential expansion of the Taltson Hydro Power Project. The Premier spoke about it proudly earlier today in his statement. There still remain concern and some criticism about this project, so I have some questions for the Minister responsible for the Energy Division.

Mr. Speaker, I am aware of our existing hydro system, such as Snare, Bluefish, and Taltson, but does the Government of the Northwest Territories have a long-standing hydro strategy with plans to install dams on a number of NWT rivers? If so, could the Minister please provide that strategy to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories released a draft hydro strategy in 2010. The hydro potential was noted to be 11,520 megawatts in the energy report produced by the Government of the Northwest Territories in May of 2011. Hydro development is included in the vision for the 2030 Energy Strategy and Energy Action Plan. The Taltson Hydro Expansion Project is the best understood option that we have to develop industrial-scale hydro potential in the near term that connect three legacy hydro assets you've mentioned. There is no specific plans in place beyond that exploratory work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minister for the clarity. We are really, when it comes to Hydro, just talking about the existing dams and hydro systems that we currently have. Mr. Speaker, it's been also stated that hydro power is not "green" energy. What is the GNWT's position on hydroelectric power? Is it ecologically and environmentally sound, or is it an unsafe way to generate renewable energy?

The Government of the Northwest Territories believes that hydro power can be developed in an ecologically sensitive and environmentally safe manner for the benefit of the residents of the communities and our economy in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the Minister believes that this is a safe, ecological, and sound way in which to produce energy. I am happy to hear that the government believes in that. I would like to ask the Minister: is it the intent of expanding the Taltson to lower the cost of living for residents, or is it to mitigate impacts on climate change, or is it in fact to provide carbon-free energy to the mineral development industry?

Yes, we believe that all three of those can be achieved through doing this and as well as for future resource development in our territory.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Mr. Speaker, sometimes we are criticized that, if we put money in one area, then another area is going to suffer. Does the money from the GNWT or the federal government that gets directed at hydro power take away from money and/or resources to develop or expand alternative energy opportunities in our thermal, remote communities?

No, it does not. Mini hydro is a firm and renewable energy option for three of our thermal communities that we will consider as part of our existing funding agreements with the Government of Canada, and we can set aside the funds necessary to build those projects where communities feel it is the best option to pursue. We will also consider other alternatives. Feasibility stage costs for the Taltson hydro expansion are included in the energy action plan, but significant new sources of funding and financing will be needed before it can proceed to construction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I made a Member's statement on Avalon rare earth resources. I have questions for the Minister of ITI. I would like to ask the Minister if the Minister has been engaged in any discussion with the mining company that is hoping to continue or start operations at Thor Lake? Thank you.