Caroline Cochrane

Thank you, Madam Chair. They don't need to wait. We were working on them all simultaneously. There is a little bit of a trust issue that we're trying to address right now, Madam Chair, with the federal government. And so hopefully when the federal government shares the scientific review, that will regain some of that trust. So it's always a delicate area that we work on when we're trying to work with different parties, different government levels. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to ask Lauren if she wants to expand on it but my understanding is that the contributions are from the whole of the GNWT. It's not just from the executive. So sometimes agencies like Justice, for example, with this one, will give money, and then but it might be for a shortterm contract so that's showing but it's not longer term. But, Madam Chair, if I could turn to Lauren.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On my right is Martin Goldney, the deputy minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. And on my left is Ms. Lauren Alexandra, the director of shared corporate services. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Absolutely there is going to need to be a lot of communication and a lot of explaining to the public. I'm actually quite proud of the work that this Legislative Assembly has done on this work. Other jurisdictions have done it, the federal government's done it, and BC has done it, but my understanding I know the federal government didn't consult with us. These things weren't done the amount of consultation that we've actually done in the Northwest Territories. So the biggest thing that the proudest thing I am for this work is that it was codrafted with Indigenous...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do appreciate the Member recognizing that it is not an easy issue. It's contentious not only within our definitions of how we define it but also contentious within Indigenous governments. We have some Indigenous governments that feel that they can put cabins anywhere in the NWT. We have other Indigenous governments saying not on my land. Those are issues that are alive and well. So I'm not going to commit in the House here about the solution. What I am committed to, and I've already brought that to the Council of Leaders, is that is a discussion that will go to the...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The health minister would like that deferred to her. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Having a concluded modern treaty is not required to join devolution or the Intergovernmental Council. However, though, having a finalized agreement does answer questions within their agreement surrounding land management and authority. So we're optimistic, and we're really glad that the Deh Cho is back to the negotiations table, and we're hopeful that their negotiations will advance quickly. But as I said earlier, Madam Speaker, all work at the Intergovernmental Council consults with all Indigenous governments, whether they're at the table or not, on areas that may be...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I believe that the Member is talking about the Intergovernmental Council, about the land and resources legislation. That is done, like you said, through devolution at the Intergovernmental Council table. For those governments that aren't part of that table, they're always welcome to joint that table but if they're not part of it, then there still is a consultation process that happens if the land and resources is in their areas, and they're still invited to sit on working groups to provide support for those legislative initiatives going forward. Thank you, Madam...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Shane Thompson will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the federal/provincial/territorial sport, physical activity, and recreation ministers’ meetings in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

As well, Madam Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Julie Green will be late for the House today as she is currently participating in a phone meeting with Indigenous Services Canada's Minister Hajdu. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As stated earlier, I have and it took a lot of work to get that item on the Council of Leaders' agenda. I feel it would be disrespectful for me at this point to make decisions since it is on their agenda as a topic. So I'm going to wait until those conversations happen at that table, and then we'll make decisions based on that feedback. Thank you, Madam Speaker.