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.
Masi. Minister for Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Government of Northwest Territories, we have a vested interest in working with the Inuvialuit Water Board and the water boards of the Mackenzie Valley. As water partners, we work closely with the Inuvialuit Water Board and other regional and land water boards in the implementation of a five-year action plan for the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, so we do have a vested interest in working with the water boards with all the Aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories, and we will continue to do so. 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?
The Inuvialuit Water Board, they are a key partner with responsibilities to uphold our legislation that governs water resources in the ISR. The Government of the Northwest Territories, through ENR, will be seeking input from all water partners including regulatory authorities such as the Inuvialuit Water Board as we advance work to modernize the Waters Act.
I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my third question is: how has the Inuvialuit Water Board been involved in transboundary water management negotiations?
The Inuvialuit Water Board was asked for input on the GNWT interest development of negotiation position and intention document for both the AlbertaNWT and the BCNWT agreements as well as the development of a negotiation position for agreement with Saskatchewan and for updating our existing agreement with the Yukon. We have had specific meetings with all of the NWT regulatory boards to solicit input as we move forward with some of these transboundary water agreements.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
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.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have an existing agreement with the Yukon that was signed in 2002. We are going through a process right now to update the agreement to align with the more recently completed transboundary water agreements. We will work with the Inuvialuit as we develop our position going forward, and we will continue working with them as well as the other Aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
