Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was just under $400,000 mentioned in the budget today that went towards finishing the regulations for the Mineral Resources Act. Our role as government is to create a landscape for development to happen. And in my role as the Minister of ITI, it's a role that I take very seriously and work hard with my colleagues across the floor in order to make sure that I'm keeping my ear to the ground and responding to industry as best as possible and making sure that I'm working with my colleagues to make changes that are being asked of me from the industry. That being said, Mr. Speaker, it's also -- I agree with the Member, it is crucial that we maintain the workers who are working at these mines who are Northerners. Our diamond mines have worked hard to make sure that they are providing learning and training opportunities to Northerners and mines have committed to ensuring that they are maintaining their socio-economic agreements, maintaining their apprentices right up to the final days, and ensuring that they are working together as well so that when Diavik does close its doors, its skilled workforce migrates to, for example, other mines. Some people want to go work for Indigenous governments or for community hamlets. Some people might want to start their own business. And so the question is how do we, together, as Diavik and the Government of the Northwest Territories support residents to stay here, live in the territory, and do the jobs they want to do. Thank you.
Caitlin Cleveland on Question 174-20(1): Supporting the Northwest Territories Mining Industry and Employees
In the Legislative Assembly on May 24th, 2024. See this statement in context.
Question 174-20(1): Supporting the Northwest Territories Mining Industry and Employees
Oral Questions
May 24th, 2024
Page 460
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