Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about Inuvialuit Day. Today, my questions are for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my statement, the Inuvialuit are negotiating a selfgovernment agreement with the GNWT in Canada. My question is: when was the agreement-in-principle signed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Inuvialuit SelfGovernment Agreement-in-Principle was signed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the federal government on July 22 2015 in Inuvik. With the signing of the Inuvialuit SelfGovernment Agreement-in-Principle, the parties are actively working towards the timely conclusion of a final Inuvialuit selfgovernment agreement.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: what is included in the agreement-in-principle?
I will try to cover that in a few short sentences. The signing of the Inuvialuit SelfGovernment Agreement-in-Principle marks an important step on the road towards Aboriginal selfgovernment for the Inuvialuit. The agreement-in-principle serves as the foundation for the negotiation of a final Inuvialuit selfgovernment agreement. The agreement-in-principle deals with various matters such as culture and language, health, social services, education, economic development, justice, and taxation. It also describes the Inuvialuit Government and its roles and responsibilities, the structures of the Inuvialuit Council, and the relationship the Inuvialuit Government will have with Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my third question is: what does the implementation of the agreement-in-principle mean for the GNWT Inuvialuit beneficiaries and Inuvialuit living outside the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
Implementing the agreement-in-principle means that the parties will complete the negotiation of the final selfgovernment agreement and that all of the necessary arrangements and agreements that need to be in place before the effective date of the agreement are worked out and agreed to by all of the parties. The agreement-in-principle sets out the structure of the Inuvialuit Government, an exclusive Aboriginal selfgovernment that will serve and represent Inuvialuit citizens and deliver government programs and services to Inuvialuit in the Western Arctic region.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question is: how do the agreement-in-principle and current negotiations uphold the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier this week, the successful conclusion of modern treaties and selfgovernment agreements can be seen as the ultimate expression of free prior and informed consent among partners. The Government of Canada's recent adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is an encouraging and tangible demonstration of the federal government's renewed commitment to Canada's Aboriginal people.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
