Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My written question:
When the Ekati project was approved in 1996, commitments were made to Indigenous governments through Impact Benefit Agreements. Since the Ekati mine operator entered creditor protection, reports suggest the operator has fallen behind on Impact Benefit Agreement payments, despite significant federal loans and Government of the Northwest Territories relief measures intended to stabilize operations.
My questions are for the Minister of Finance:
- Can the Minister provide a breakdown of all GNWT relief measures or fiscal support provided to the Ekati mine operator as part of efforts to stabilize operations;
- Can the Minister provide the value of each GNWT relief measure or form of fiscal support provided to the Ekati mine operator, including any accountability requirements attached to that support;
- Can the Minister confirm whether outstanding obligations to Indigenous governments were considered before any GNWT relief or fiscal support was provided to the Ekati mine operator; and,
- Can the Minister provide the process that will be used to review outstanding obligations to Indigenous governments before any future GNWT relief or fiscal support is provided to the Ekati mine operator.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.