Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, and my questions are for the Honourable Premier. Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how is our government working with Indigenous governments to make sure that Canada's new Arctic and Northern Policy Framework lives up to the promise of its title? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The first thing to note is that this is a federal framework. The Government of the Northwest Territories has been vocal about ensuring that Northwest Territories interests, including those of Indigenous governments, are given priority by the federal government. We continue to stress to Canada the importance of having an equal representation of Dene, Metis, and Inuit voices in the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.
In the spring of 2018, when there were initial drafts of the federal framework, the Government of the Northwest Territories shared them with officials from the intergovernmental council and sought their comments. This includes the IRC. Since then, we have been sharing with intergovernmental council officials and are actively passing on their comments to the federal government.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to working closely with the members of the intergovernmental council and to continuing this process throughout the development of the framework. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the response from the Premier. It is good to see that the GNWT is working laterally with Indigenous governments. I think that is quite important as we develop policy. Getting back to that, Mr. Speaker, would the Premier describe some of the improvements that are resulting from this collaboration with Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories?
One of the pieces that has been added to the current federal framework as a result of this collaboration is a section on the importance of reconciliation and self-determination.
I appreciate that. Reconciliation is important to a lot of Indigenous people across this territory, considering what has been going on over the last 100 years.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member's statement, there is some urgency to complete this new framework. Mr. Speaker, what is the Premier doing to expedite the process with his federal counterparts, not just within the executive, but with Infrastructure and other departments of the Northwest Territories that work with the federal government?
Throughout this federal process, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made every effort to meet the timelines set by Canada, regardless of how they have evolved. That said, as a government, I will not support a document that does not clearly focus on a positive economic future for our territory and one that acknowledges the importance of increasing the power of northern voices.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is good to see that. There is a lot of power in allowing Indigenous governments the right to self-determination. It looks like the Government of the Northwest Territories is working that way. Mr. Speaker, when does the Premier expect that money from Canada will flow to implement the priorities that emerge from the new Arctic and Northern Policy Framework?
In response to correspondence from the three northern premiers, the Prime Minister has committed in writing to investments in Budget 2019 that reflect the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, and I look forward to seeing those. However, it is the Government of the Northwest Territories' understanding that the overall governance and financial plan for the framework is not yet set, and this does create challenges for us in predicting what money will flow, when, or how. With that said and although the framework is not yet completed, we are seeing some initial movement in priority areas our government has set, for example, with the announcement that Minister LeBlanc made in Yellowknife related to Taltson a few weeks ago. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
