Bob McLeod

We have been in discussions with the Dehcho First Nations with regards to the subsurface of Edehzhie. We see it as a package arrangement. We are not prepared to oneoff individual sectors of the Dehcho process. We had put forward a significant offer where Edehzhie was part of it, and we have yet to receive a response to that offer.

I understand that the Dehcho leadership will be holding leadership meetings at some point in October to determine where they want to go with regards to the Dehcho process.

A summary report of the symposium presentations, discussions, and outcomes are being prepared and will be shared with the symposium participants. This report will also be shared publicly once the participants have reviewed it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Generally, he who pays the bill calls the tune. Along with Indigenous leaders and economic development representatives, there was a facilitator who is an expert in economic research and analysis in attendance.

There was never an intention to transfer the subsurface of the Edehzhie back to the federal government. The discussions that we have been having is that it would be controlled in the Northwest Territories by the Aboriginal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories through an agreement that would be established through the Dehcho process.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason we weren't there is we received an invitation two days before the event, and we were already scheduled to be in session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I said, the symposium is being funded by retained earnings from the Intergovernmental Council. It was focused on the Aboriginal leaders. The focus of the symposium was seeking input and agreement from our partners, NWT Indigenous governments, that the NWT economy needs urgent attention.

The symposium was in support of implementing the priorities of the Legislative Assembly to grow and diversify the Northwest Territories economy and work more closely with Indigenous governments. It was not about identifying new priorities.

Through the discussion, we identified concrete plans and actions to...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The economic symposium, or better known as the NWT Economic Symposium, was funded using retained resource revenues from the intergovernmental council, which all intergovernmental council members fully supported. Three participants from each Indigenous government were funded. Many brought additional participants who were funded directly from their intergovernmental offices' budgets.

The costs are still being calculated by the symposium and will be provided once the calculations are done. The Member dismisses the discussions as only being about infrastructure, but the...

We have been in discussions with the Dehcho Grand Chief on several occasions. She has indicated to us that they are still doing work in this area, and we are very optimistic that they will come back with a positive response so that we can move forward and hopefully bring these negotiations to a conclusion before the end of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Letter to Prime Minister dated June 13, 2018 regarding Protection of Porcupine Caribou Herd." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources will be late arriving in the House today to participate in the Environment Minsters' teleconference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.