Well, that's hard shoes to fill in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Anyways, I just want to mention that in regards to my Member's statement earlier about honorariums, I'm just thinking back in 1999, when I was a chief for Yellowknives Dene First Nation and back then our band councils were given $250 a day. And since then, 24 years later, you know, I'm sure the rates have gone up. But anyway, the current rate of honorarium is set at $250 a day and was last updated in 2009. Inflation has increased by 32 percent since then, not to mention our economy's being hit with the global recession and global pandemic and a supply chain crisis.
Can the Minister explain what policy hasn't been revised sorry, can the Minister explain why this policy hasn't been revised in the last 14 years? Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if this question should go to the Minister of Finance or Minister Thompson. Since he's here, I'll direct my question Minister Thompson. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Member for the question. And the Member did bring it up to my attention and I did a little bit of research on that.
So the honorarium rate is set out with the financial administration manual with the Department of Finance. I can't speak on why or when the rate was set, but I can say that the honorarium is paid to individuals attending the meetings and other official businesses. But I'm willing to meet with the Minister with the Member and the Minister of Finance to get further information on this. And, again, I'd like to thank the Member for bringing this to our attention. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the GNWT recognize the value of traditional knowledge of Indigenous people in creating public policy because it's not very clear to me based on this policy. The question to the Minister. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you ENR, through the traditional knowledge policy, recognizes Indigenous traditional knowledge as an essential source of information about natural environment and the relationship of people on the land and to each other. I can tell you our traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge helps us develop our policies. So, yes, we find it very important to reach out to our Indigenous partners moving forward with our policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to revising the honorarium policy for traditional knowledge by doubling the base rate in addition to increase the base on inflation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm more than willing to meet with the Member and then reach out to the finance minister to have those conversations. Again, this is the finance Minister's responsibility but I'm more than willing to work with the Member to meet with the Minister on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. So I guess I look forward to meeting with you and the Minister and to have that discussion as well. And I think that at the starting point, you know, at the bare minimum, based on inflation costs, you know, we're looking at probably maybe $500 a day for honorarium. But, again, it's something that we need to talk about and review. So I guess the Minister would be able to respond to this. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I said, I'm more than willing to meet with the Member and the Minister to discuss this. Traditional knowledge is very important. And, again, when we reach out to our elders, that's our foundation so their knowledge and information is very helpful. So like I said, I will work with the Member and to have that conversation with the finance minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
