Prime Minister responds to N.W.T. letter on Giant Mine apology: Premier

N.W.T. Premier Bob McLeodsays Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has responded to a letter McLeodsent seeking an apology from Ottawa forthe federal government's role in keeping Giant Mine open.

• After the gold: Yellowknife reckons with its toxic legacy

In October, the members of the N.W.T. Legislature unanimously passed a motion calling on McLeod to write a letter to Trudeau, demanding an apology and compensation for allowing the mine to spew hundreds of thousands of tonnes of arsenic trioxide from its roaster during its 75 years of operation.

Inthe Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Frame LakeMLA Kevin O'Reilly asked McLeod for an update.

McLeod not only confirmed he sent a letter, but said he's also received a response.

"The prime minister, in his response, indicated that he was forwarding my letter to the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and Northern affairs," he said.

"It is my understanding that the regional director general for the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs has agreed to enter into discussions with the Yellowknives Dene First Nations and is working with the chiefs to schedule a meeting."

The Yellowknives Dene live near the former mine site. They've long called for an apology and millions of dollars in compensation.

Neither Chief Edward Sangris nor Chief Ernest Betsina say they're aware of any discussion happening between Ottawa and Yellowknives Dene Chiefs.

Trudeau's letter is expected to be tabled in the legislature on Wednesday.

More on Giant Mine:

• Feds award multi-million dollar contract to U.S. company for Giant Mine cleanup
• Encase it in glass? Giant Mine oversight board ponders future of on-site arsenic