Wally Schumann

That's a federal government responsibility. Like I said, we are engaged in conversation with them, but until the site is fully reclaimed, it is a federal responsibility and I would have to see what the federal government would have available to share with the Member. But again, like I say, it's a federal responsibility.

I'll defer that to Mr. Guy.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories’ economy is built on mining and exploration. Today our mining sector is the largest provider of high paying jobs and the main driver of the territorial economy. We have committed, in our mandate, to supporting mineral exploration and the NWT mining sector with actions and investments identified in the NWT Mineral Development Strategy.

Our goal is to realize all the benefits of our mineral resources to support ongoing prosperity for NWT residents and communities. At the appropriate time this afternoon, I will be tabling an overview of our five-year...

I'll defer to Mr. Guy.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chair.

Yes, we are rolling this out into the Deh Cho I guess because all three schools that are going to be taking it on this week are all in the Deh Cho region: Fort Providence, Fort Simpson and Liard, and I believe we will be working closely with ECE on how we can implement this across the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Guy.

The Member stated that I guess we're using government vehicles to do the maintenance supervision of the winter road. I can look into it, but I can guarantee, if we already have the units available, why would we go out to contract to rent vehicles for the complete four months of the winter road and add significant costs back onto the taxpayers of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Upon review of the status of having a Sahtu regional office, it's the department's view that, until we have an all-season road, which I am the biggest advocate for the Mackenzie Valley Highway, that it would not be in the best use of our dollars to put a regional office for transportation in the Sahtu region at this time.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is committed to working with public and private sector partners to continue to improve transportation infrastructure across the Northwest Territories under the mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly. Our government strongly believes in working collaboratively with various levels of government, from Aboriginal and municipal authorities to the federal government, as well as our private sector partners.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to strengthen our partnership with Canada by ensuring that the priorities and challenges of our territory are being...