Mr. Chair, the geo-mapping for energy and minerals program commenced as a five-year $100 million initiative as part of the government's plan to lay the foundation for sustainable economic development in the north by providing modern fundamental geo-science knowledge. Natural resource development remains at the centre of the government's economic agenda. The geo-science knowledge created by the GEM program is directly contributing to economic development objectives in Canada's north.
In the House of Commons on May 21st, 2013. See this statement in context.