Bob McLeod

There are a number of reasons why these negotiations have taken a long time. Some NWT Indigenous governments more recently are waiting to see how new federal policies are evolving before they proceed and conclude their land claim and self-government agreements. We respect this decision and will continue to support Northwest Territories Indigenous governments' decisions around timing.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has had a Traditional Knowledge Policy in place for well over 25 years, and as with any work of the Government of the Northwest Territories, traditional knowledge is considered in work related to Arctic policy. It is a priority in particular of the permanent participants of the Arctic Council. The Government of the Northwest Territories engages and supports Canada in this work. The Government of the Northwest Territories' knowledge agenda recognizes the importance of incorporating traditional knowledge into NWT-based research programs. This is...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories participates on the Canadian delegation to the Arctic Council, which provides the opportunity to work on issues of importance with the federal government, the Indigenous permanent participants, as well as other international partners. Through the Arctic Council we share our priorities with other governments in the Circumpolar North, and also learn from best practices in other jurisdictions.

The Government of the Northwest Territories also regularly participates in the Arctic Circle Assembly. Participation in this forum has...

The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to place a high priority on negotiating these complex and very important agreements. The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes that the certainty provided by modern agreements benefits everyone. The need for providing clarity and setting out the rules has also informed this government's approach to the Mineral Resources Act by laying out the need for benefit agreements.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories is actively involved in land and resource negotiations in most areas of the Northwest Territories without modern treaties. Today, we are in final agreement negotiations with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation from Fort Liard and with the Northwest Territories Metis Nation. In addition, negotiations with the Akaitcho Dene First Nations are making good progress towards completing a draft of an agreement-in-principle. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When we attend these different international meetings, we learn very soon how the Arctic in some Arctic countries drives their economy and how their federal governments are investing heavily in large infrastructure. It's the same here, where we need more investment and improved transportation, energy, and communications infrastructure, because we know it's essential for the growth and prosperity of Northwest Territories communities. This is also how we support Canada's work on Arctic sovereignty. As a result, much of our engagement with the federal government has focused on improving key...

No. The Government of the Northwest Territories identifies for the other parties to the agreement that there are retained revenues available and begins discussions on how they are to be allocated. The other parties are the Indigenous governments that have signed on to devolution, and they see this as Indigenous government money.

No. Once again, retained amounts have not been used to support Indigenous governments to attend the Arctic Energy and Emerging Technologies Conference and Tradeshow in Inuvik. The Government of the Northwest Territories' infrastructure department has not provided funds for Indigenous governments' delegates to participate in the Arctic Energy and Emerging Technologies Conference and Tradeshow and does not anticipate doing so in the future. Indigenous governments, however, are free to allocate the funds however they see fit.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The retained portion is an estimated calculation for those Indigenous governments who have not signed on to devolution. Each year, once annual net fiscal benefit figures are available, these retained amounts are distributed according to intergovernmental council negotiations that are guided by the provisions of the Intergovernmental Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement. These negotiations occur after intergovernmental council members receive their respective allocations of the net fiscal benefit under their Intergovernmental Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement.

No. Retained amounts have not been used to support Indigenous government delegates to attend AME. For AME Roundup, the GNWT ITI department uses funds allocated under the Mineral Development Strategy to client services and community relations for Aboriginal capacity funding. From those funds, a certain amount is used to support Indigenous government delegations to attend AME. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.