Cabinet members SA国际影视传媒� with the exception of one minister SA国际影视传媒� and a contingent of GNWT staff, MLAs and Indigenous representatives are again heading to a Vancouver mining conference that last year drew the ire of regular MLAs for its hefty price tag.

At least 44 people are expected to attend AME Roundup 2018, with preliminary estimated costs provided by GNWT departments totaling around $235,700 so far.

In 2017, the GNWT spent close to $200,000 to send all seven cabinet ministers, 24 staff, 14 Indigenous government representatives and the NWT Chamber of Mines to the four-day event.

While a few MLAs warned the trip wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 the best use of government money, the GNWT maintains sending cabinet and its staff is necessary.

SA国际影视传媒淛ust because a couple members think itSA国际影视传媒檚 a bad idea doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 mean cabinetSA国际影视传媒檚 going to back off taking the whole crew down there,SA国际影视传媒� said Wally Schumann, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. SA国际影视传媒淲e need to have everybody there.SA国际影视传媒�

Schumann said heSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渂ooked solidSA国际影视传媒� meeting investors and the like at this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 conference, which runs from Jan. 22 to 25.

Having the rest of cabinet there means ministers can directly answer questions related to things like power, lands, skills and trade development, he said.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 also an important opportunity for the GNWT to explain changes under the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 new Mineral Resources Act, said Schumann, adding the legislation is intended to attract new mining investment.

SA国际影视传媒淭he federal legislation that we mirrored, that was a very old piece of legislation,SA国际影视传媒� said Schumann. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e got to have something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 attractive to people all over the globe.SA国际影视传媒�

Although not the only mining event the GNWT attends, AME Roundup is one of the largest in Canada, with around 6,000 participants from 40 countries.

This year, the GNWT is sending all ministers except for Glen Abernethy, who has prior commitments, according to Charlotte Digness, media and communications coordinator for cabinet.

The estimated cost of flights, accommodations and per diems for the six cabinet ministers is $16,600, said Digness, although the numbers wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be finalized until after the trip.

Four staff from the Department of Lands, including the assistant deputy minister, are scheduled to attend the conference at an estimated cost of $12,000, plus an estimated cost of $3,500 for the trade show, stated department spokesperson Toni Riley via email.

SA国际影视传媒淭his conference provides an opportunity for the Department of Lands to discuss in more detail with our clients, and potential clients, our role in managing and administering public land in the NWT,SA国际影视传媒� said Riley. SA国际影视传媒淲e will also update industry on changes to land legislation in the review of our two lands acts.SA国际影视传媒�

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) is spending an estimated $96,000 altogether to send 16 staff members to the conference and to pay for costs such as room rentals, trade show booths and catering, according to Drew Williams, a spokesperson with ITI. Of that, $44,000 is for travel expenses.

Another $63,000 from the department is going towards travel expenses for 14 Indigenous representatives who will attend the conference, plus $29,000 for items such as their conference fees, booths and meeting rooms, he added.

The Department of Infrastructure did not have estimates at press time.

Unlike last year, four MLAs from the Standing Committee on Economic Development are expected to attend this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 event at an estimated $15,600, according to Danielle Mager, manager of public affairs at the legislative assembly.

Sahtu MLA Daniel McNeely, Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart, Nunakput MLA Herb Nakimayak and Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson are scheduled to attend, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚t certainly fits within our mandate as a standing committee,SA国际影视传媒� said Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne, who chairs the committee. SA国际影视传媒淚 think that itSA国际影视传媒檚 a great way for committee to stay abreast of current practices and liaise with numerous colleagues.SA国际影视传媒�

Vanthuyne is unable to attend the event this January, although he did so last year.

Frame Lake MLA Kevin OSA国际影视传媒橰eilly, who spoke out against the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 spending on AME Roundup 2017, has chosen not to attend.

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 not the only one with concerns.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 really kind of floored,SA国际影视传媒� said Jack Bourassa, regional executive vice-president for Public Service Alliance Canada North, of the decision to send the majority of cabinet to the event this year. SA国际影视传媒淭o me itSA国际影视传媒檚 just something that shows the narrow-mindedness of this government in that theySA国际影视传媒檙e going to take the NWT down a road where all our eggs are going to be put in one basket. It doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 show a lot of diversification of government thinking.SA国际影视传媒�

While mineral exploration is important, Union of Northern Workers president Todd Parsons questioned the necessity of sending SA国际影视传媒渁 contingent as large as it isSA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒渟pending hundreds of thousands of dollars needlessly.SA国际影视传媒�

He expressed dismay about the conference while collective bargaining continues.

SA国际影视传媒淭he government has continued throughout collective bargaining to cry that theySA国际影视传媒檙e poor and that they canSA国际影视传媒檛 afford to give modest cost-of-living increases to the public service,SA国际影视传媒� said Parsons. SA国际影视传媒淏ut yet there appears to be lots of money for the legislative travel club.SA国际影视传媒�