Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I already spoke about conservation and the roles of Indigenous people, and my questions are for the Minister of ENR. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how does ENR ensure that relevant Indigenous parties are represented at the table when establishing co-management boards? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is committed to an inclusive and collaborative approach to wildlife management, and we are considered leaders in wildlife co-management. ENR has actually written a book on how to manage wildlife collaboratively, and we continue to work with our partners to refine and improve the process. In settled land claims area, renewal resource boards have been established as a main instrument of wildlife management, and representation is defined in the land claim itself.
I appreciate the response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us of an example which his department gave Indigenous groups authority to jointly create collaborative decision-making instruments such as co-management boards or any types of agreements?
I have a number of examples I can use. The barren-ground caribou are one of the most important species for NWT residents. That goes without saying. The GNWT has worked incredibly closely and collaboratively with communities and renewable resource boards and Indigenous governments and organizations. The four renewable resource boards in the settled land claims area are the main instruments of wildlife management, and play a leading role in caribou management and recovery effort.
I appreciate the response. My statement earlier likely involves the federal government, and as well, collaboration with the GNWT on high seas fisheries. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is: what are some of the concerns and/or benefits the Minister sees with this new agreement coming into force this year with respect to the protection of marine ecosystems in the Northwest Territories?
Fisheries is currently a federal responsibility, and the GNWT has yet to negotiate a co-management of the Beaufort offshore, which remains a federal jurisdiction. However, I can point out that we have had exploratory discussions with the federal government on that. We are one of, I think, only two jurisdictions in Canada that have yet to negotiate that with the federal government. I will keep the Member in the House informed as to the discussions we have with the federal government as we go forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
