Herbert Nakimayak

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples entitled "We Can Do Better: Housing in Inuit Nunagut." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my third question is: how has the Inuvialuit Water Board been involved in transboundary water management negotiations?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member's statement earlier today, the Inuvialuit are ready to take on a more government-to-government approach to the Water Board. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain how the Government of the Northwest Territories would work with the Water Board on some of the benefits of a government-to-government relationship? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I don’t have much to say, but I know from the presentation today, and then looking at the estimates, I’m a believer that scientific research and traditional and Indigenous local knowledge should work closely together in tandem to ensure that we get a good map of the condition of the people, the marine mammals, the land-bearing animals, and the fur-bearing animals as well, too, across the territory.

As well, I noticed that the mapping in one of my regions has become quite important to the way that we will start planning for the relocation of some communities. My...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response. That leads to my final question. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain how the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Inuvialuit Water Board work on transboundary water issues with the Yukon in areas that impact the ISR? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: what role will the Inuvialuit Water Board have in the development of a renewed Waters Act?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, water is life. The vision of the Inuvialuit Water Board is to have clean and plentiful water available today and into the future.

Mr. Speaker, the waters of the Mackenzie Basin eventually flow into the Delta and the Arctic Ocean. The Northwest Territories Water Board was established in 1972 and was renamed the lnuvialuit Water Board in March 2014. It provides for the conservation, development, and use of inland waters to benefit all Canadians and, in particular, the residents of the lnuvialuit Settlement Region.

Mr. Speaker, under the Waters Act, the...

I appreciate the response. My second question is: how is the department monitoring the working group's progress?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As part of Canada's commitment to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a review of laws and policies related to Indigenous peoples.

A working group made up of six Ministers who have significant responsibilities for the relevant statutes and policies to be reviewed will examine federal laws, policies, and operational practices to help ensure the Crown is meeting its constitutional obligations with respect to Indigenous and treaty rights, adhering to international human rights standards, and...

I appreciate the response; that answered my third question. My final question for the Premier is: the Northwest Territories has successfully implemented a collaborative process for developing policy on legislation that involves input from our Aboriginal governments early on; how has this model been shared with Canada and Canadian jurisdictions?