Wally Schumann

Thank you, Mr. Chair. During the public engagement session, this wasn't a concern that was raised, but maybe it was possibly raised with the SCEDE's engagement. I am not sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That will have to be determined when we develop the regulations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have said that we will support a review of the NWT's Resource Royalty Framework and a review of the Northwest Territories Resource Royalty Framework will need to consider the Northwest Territories' total fiscal context, as well as our general operating environment. ITI, in partnership with the Department of Finance, has started the benchmarking work for such a review. There will be no public consultation at this stage in the process, as it is currently in a third-party research contract to benchmark the Northwest Territories against other jurisdictions, both nationally...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Legislation needs to be built in a way that can be flexible to allow for the evolution of tools we use to maximize benefits. What tools we use and how are best left to regulations. That is because the industry is dynamic and people are dynamic and the kinds of benefits available are dynamic. It is a fast-changing industry. Adding a prospective list to the legislation would actually undermine our government's ability to be dynamic enough and act in the best interests of the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The intention of what a restricted area is to be is more to protect sensitive areas that are set for a set amount of time for the long term and find long-term use solutions. Moreover, restricted areas are justified by unique attributes, fragile attributes that could face irreparable harm, significance tied to ethical values rather than public utilities or economic worth, urgent need for temporary protection until long-term measures may be secured. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That will be up to the 19th Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left is Pamela Strand, assistant deputy minister of ITI. On my immediate right is Laura Faryna, senior legislative advisor for ITI. On my far right is Kelly McLaughlin, legislative counsel with the Department of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Not during public engagement, there was not any discussion on that or brought forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I have said before, royalties is a subject of a conversation we've had many times in this House. As another Member's opening comments said, there needs to be a wider context of what is actually included in what the mineral industry contributes to the Northwest Territories, such as property tax and these such things. That's a discussion that needs to take place, and that's why we've separated it from this act to have that conversation at the 19th Legislative Assembly. That work has already begun, to look at that process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We will continue to work with IGCS and other Indigenous governments who were invited to the table which was Dehcho and Akaitcho. Thank you, Mr. Chair.