Good morning, everyone.
Mr. Gratton, in recent months, representatives from your organization have come to my office a few times. We had some good interactions and good discussions mainly about the social and environmental aspects of mining in most places in Canada.
I have also read your documentation, which I have here this morning, and a number of points relate to information specific to the social and environmental impact. I wanted to discuss and dissect it all with you, knowing full well that you are francophone and that you understand what I'm saying. So you are able to follow the discussion.
Basically, Mr. Gratton, I see here that "mine development brings critical economic and social benefits," particularly by "enhancing Nunavut's education and social development programs," and contributes "to improving the quality of life for Nunavummiut."
I have a question, just to set the tone. In your presentation, you said that 38% of employees at the Meadowbank gold mine are Inuit. Now, could you explain the discrepancy between the representation of Inuit in Nunavut and their representation in employment in this area of the industry?
Along the same lines, you also indicate in your documentation that there is "support for health care, education and sports facilities." My question has to do with the health care facilities. I also addressed this point with your representatives. What is your position and what measures do you plan to take—in the fast approaching future—to make up for the social impact of the presence and increase of industrial activities in a given sector?
One of the things I'm thinking about is dependence on hard drugs, which correlates with this statement and presence of the industry. It's what we are seeing in the northern regions, particularly in my own region. We see a significant new crop of cases of toxic psychosis and overdose. We are seeing a high proportion of dependence on hard drugs in individuals who are hired and who, from one day to the next, have access to significant financial means. It is important to know that this job in the industry sometimes pays very high wages.
I have another question, this time about education facilities. Is it possible to say whether the efforts made will first and foremost be aimed at establishing educational programs that will serve the purposes of the industry? Will this instead educate the population at large so that it can obtain a minimum level of education, such as a high school or college diploma? Or are these programs simply designed to serve the purposes of the industry?
Thank you.