Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Premier. I apologize that I didn't give him a heads-up, but we still have time on the clock. It is about his statement yesterday on reporting on the intergovernmental council meeting that was held in December. In his statement, he talked about a Northern Summit on Economic Development that is going to take place later this year. I am wondering if the Premier can tell us a little bit more about this summit on economic development, particularly the purpose of the summit. Can the Premier tell us about the purpose of this summit? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The purpose of the summit is to seek input into the writing of the NWT chapter of the Arctic Policy Framework. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Premier for that. Now I understand a little bit more about what this summit is going to be about. Can the Premier tell us anything about the date and location of this Northern Summit on Economic Development?
We have yet to confirm the date and location. Because of the fact that we are working to a timeline set by the federal government, the most recent timeline that we know we are working towards is they are looking for a draft by July of 2018. I expect within the next couple of months, somewhere in there, would give us enough time to organize. I would expect probably within the next couple of months.
I would like to thank the Premier again for that. I understand now that it is perhaps a tighter timeline than I thought it was. In the statement the Premier made yesterday, he says, "Invitations to the summit will be extended to a range of partners, including industry and representatives from the federal government." I am just wondering: can the Premier tell us whether those invitations will include civil society or other orders of government, say the Northwest Territories Association of Communities? Can the Premier confirm that this is going to be an inclusive approach that will include civil society and local governments?
We want to be very inclusive to the extent where I think we alluded to it when we were defending our budget for paying for experts in different economic sectors to participate, because we are realizing that to diversify our economy is not as easy as it looks or sounds. We need input from every sector or every possible source so that we can come up with a plan that will work. Just relying on our traditional sources to come up with a vision and a new economic diversification is not as easy as it sounds. We want to be as inclusive as possible.
Also, the Aboriginal governments that participated in the intergovernmental summit, some of them have also indicated that they want to have their own internal meetings so they can get their group's input worked out. That is the kind of environment we are working under.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to sincerely thank the Premier for that. It sounds like a good approach to me. I am very pleased to hear that response. Last question on this topic for now: would the Minister consider inviting MLAs from this side of the House to this conference? It sounds like an interesting event. I am sure we would be happy to provide some input. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
We would be pleased to discuss it with committees certainly, if it is appropriate. I am just wondering. Our experience has been that sometimes it affects the input from people who are there, but certainly, I have no problem with it. We should at least have a discussion on it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
