Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier my Member's statement was on the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation's 2019 election. My questions are for the Premier on government-to-government relations.
Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how are we, as the Government of the Northwest Territories, holding ourselves accountable in relation to our obligations for the implementation of the land claims agreements in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to respecting the provisions of land claim agreements and to fulfilling its obligations under all Northwest Territories land claims, especially since we are also a signatory of the land claims. We see it as our land claims, as well.
Through implementation committees, which include representation for Canada, the Indigenous government, and the Government of the Northwest Territories, the parties discuss the ongoing implementation of land claim agreements and work to resolve any issues that may arise. Thank you.
It is good to hear that the Premier recognizes it as a territorial land claim, as well. That holds us accountable. How will the Government of the Northwest Territories work with Indigenous governments to build better working policies around our land claims agreements so that we can work more closely together as we move towards self-government and our own self-determination?
The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed through the Respect, Recognition, and Responsibility document to work collaboratively with Northwest Territories Indigenous governments, including those with settled land claim agreements, on policies and approaches to public program and service delivery that reflect common interests and address shared concerns.
As Indigenous governments move toward self-determination, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working collaboratively to support capacity building, the transition to self-government jurisdiction, and the delivery of public and Indigenous government programs and services.
As well, we formally recognize Aboriginal governments through memorandums of understanding, where we commit to meet bilaterally at least twice a year to discuss and resolve issues of concern or mutual issues.
I appreciate the response in talking about bilateral agreements and other ways of advocating for funding for our regions. Leading from that question, Mr. Speaker, will the Premier commit to advocating or working side-by-side with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in Ottawa as climate change continues to affect the infrastructure in Nunakput?
Yes, we are commit today working very closely with the IRC in Ottawa not only on climate change, but other issues that affect us, such as offshore oil and gas and fisheries, among other things.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that. It's good to see that the government is open to working and actually travelling together to Ottawa to advocate. We are stronger together. That leads me to my next question, Mr. Speaker: talk about travelling. Will the Premier commit to taking all of Cabinet up to Nunakput and meet with all levels of government on issues that affect our residents before the 18th Assembly wraps up?
Cabinet open houses are a valuable opportunity for all of us in Cabinet to hear directly from people in each riding. We have two Cabinet open houses left to do, and we are prepared and looking forward to going to Nunakput, and we will hold Cabinet open houses in both of these ridings that we have not attended yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
