Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'm Keith Conn, ADM of lands and economic development. We're working closely with the Indian Resource Council. I was part of a selection board, and it was represented by the Indian Resource Council chiefs. They made a recommendation for the new CEO of Indian Oil and Gas, and the deputy minister has accepted the recommendation.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We are potentially concerned about Wabaseemoong.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  For the time being, we need to realize this project, obviously, and then see what the promising practices would lead to.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, we are working closely. My officials in the Thunder Bay regional office are working closely with the leadership in the community of Wabaseemoong and were actually provided, last year I believe—Jennifer can speak to this—with the task of doing a health impact study. That is under way as we speak.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes, they may not be mutually exclusive. There's a strong desire to get the process moving and the shovel in the ground, so perhaps that could be a possible scenario of looking at the longer term, 30 years out, in terms of some kind of trust mechanism. Certainly agreements that we normally sign for quick and expeditious execution projects are through an agreement—a contribution agreement, for example—so we can get that moving quickly.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's in negotiations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Has it been discussed to look at the mutually exclusive issue? No, but I think we should be open to the concept.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think it's not strictly the provincial domain. Federally, we'll be working with the community and the province on a combination of specialized services, including assisted living. This is where we can play a role as a department, because that's part of the need identified by the community.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I'd better follow suit with the minister, I suppose. Yes, now, this summer; I'm just humbly estimating. It takes time to secure contractors, and the community needs to get organized around that, and they are primed. That was just my humble estimation of summer. It's now June, so July, August....

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Not at this point, but I think there's a state of readiness, I have to say.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Madam Chair, I think we would have to come back to the committee on that specific question. I'm not in the economics business, but I do have colleagues who are and whom we can consult on the level of activity around tourism and fishing lodges.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Our department, Indigenous Services Canada's first nations and Inuit health branch, has been working for many years with the community to conduct environmental impact assessment research that is led and prioritized by the community. We've had that continuous role for decades around providing primary health care services and public health services.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  As I mentioned earlier, I think in principle—pardon the expression—we are taking the Jordan's principle approach in responding to actually support the community and realize its vision by the construction of the treatment facility and related services. But it demands a partnership approach with the provincial government, which can supply and has willingly stated that it will supply specialized physician services, which falls under their domain, and they are happy to collaborate.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  From my recollection, this is a significant step forward.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  A contractual agreement through a contribution agreement is the most expeditious way of getting the resources out to the community to begin clearing the land and for construction to take place.