Bob McLeod

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is engaged in self-government negotiations with the Gwich'in and the Inuvialuit.

Inuvialuit self-government negotiations concluded an agreement in principle in 2015. Negotiations to conclude an Inuvialuit final self-government agreement are under way. Gwich'in self-government negotiations are presently set to restart following recent decisions by the Gwich'in on how they wish to move forward.

The Government of the Northwest Territories conditions to fulfill its obligations under both the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement and the...

Through respect, responsibility, and recognition of the Government of the Northwest Territories' commitment to collaborative and cooperative relationships with Indigenous governments, this government has worked to advance positive working relationships at all levels. Ministers are active partners in the bilateral meetings between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous governments. They are fundamental to our government-to-government relationships.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to recognize two constituents of Yellowknife South, Susan and Larry Purcka. Welcome.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Bridges Rehabilitation project is an ongoing project that started with the federal government. That's in the Building Canada Fund process that we go against all the other jurisdictions for that funding to improve our bridges. The Bridge and Culvert program that is part of the capital program is a smaller program. It updates and rehabilitates the current bridges in our inventory and all culverts that are greater than 1.5 metres in diameter.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is aware that some of these untenured structures may be associated with an asserted right in areas with unsettled claims or Aboriginal and/or treaty rights as established through a settled claim. In all instances, the Government of the Northwest Territories is respectful of Aboriginal treaty rights and wishes to develop a respectful approach to managing rights-based cabins in order to distinguish those cabins from untenured cabins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Lands is leading the Government of the Northwest Territories' efforts to identify legal rights-based cabins on public land in the Northwest Territories. Lands is currently engaging, on a government-to-government basis and at the working level with Indigenous governments, to discuss how rights-based cabins can be identified and managed in a way that is respectful of Aboriginal and treaty rights.

The Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs is not directly conducting the consultation or engagement on this initiative but has provided advice on the...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. There is a risk with crosswalks. Pressing the button is only one part of it, and then making eye contact with the drivers to make sure that they see you, especially as we get into the darkness.

We are committed to working with the Transportation Association of Canada and the guidelines for crosswalks, and we will look at other options to improve that site as much as possible and the suggestion of a blinking light to tell the pedestrian the lights are working.

Again, we would like to see the pedestrians make eye contact with those vehicles to make sure that they do stop and...

The Department of Lands participates actively in an interdepartmental Aboriginal consultation working group that is led by the Department of EIA and assists departments to implement best practices for engagement and consultation. The Government of the Northwest Territories' consultation approaches are intended to support respectful government-to-government consultation and engagement and to carry out effective communications with Indigenous governments.

The Government of the Northwest Territories values its relationships with Indigenous governments. Our doors are open. If an Indigenous...

The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes and respects Aboriginal and treaty rights, including the rights of Indigenous peoples to build and use a cabin on public land that supports their rights to hunt, fish, and trap.

The Department of Lands is out engaging with Indigenous governments to discuss how best to identify and manage rights-based cabins. It is premature to say specifically how the feedback will affect any future process. The Department of Lands will use the feedback from the current engagement process to ensure that any future actions related to unauthorized occupancy...

In my view, in my estimation, that is what we should all aspire to and certainly will have discussions with all of the Members of Cabinet as we want to do.

I think that is why I have relied on fireside chats, to try to make sure that we are all working, pulling in the same direction, and I find that when we treat each other with respect and when we work together, we accomplish a lot more.

I certainly thank the Member for bringing this to our attention again, and it is important for us to continue to pay a lot of attention to it and continue to aspire to improve in those areas.