Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about the Arctic Policy Framework and the NWT chapter. I have questions for the Premier.
Mr. Speaker, my first question is: how has the GNWT engaged with the federal government in the development of the Arctic Policy Framework to date? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Arctic and Northern Policy Framework will be a federal document with the federal government making the financial decision on what is in it. With that said, Government of Northwest Territories officials have been actively engaged in the development of the framework document, working to ensure that territorial priorities are included.
We have also been sharing drafts with our partners on the intergovernmental council to seek their views. Their feedback has been very helpful, and, as agreed to by the IGC, GNWT officials have provided these views to Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the response from the Premier. Mr. Speaker, have the GNWT's concerns been addressed in the NWT chapter of the Arctic Policy Framework? If not, what are some of the outstanding issues?
I guess the biggest outstanding issue is the fact that the original timelines proposed by Canada would have had the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework completed by now. However, there have been a number of delays in the process.
The current schedule presented by Canada has the overarching part of the framework being released first, and then provincial, territorial, and Indigenous chapters will be developed following the initial release. Canada is also proposing that a governance framework and investment strategy will be released at the same time as these chapters.
I appreciate the response from the Premier. Mr. Speaker, does the Premier know when a draft policy will be released?
The federal government has used a co-development approach to develop the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework. It has not been without challenges, but the Government of the Northwest Territories appreciates the opportunity to work collaboratively with the federal government and the Members of the intergovernmental secretariat to develop the federal document.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased with the progress that has been achieved by the new federal Minister of Northern Affairs on our priority files to date. We will continue to work with the federal government to advance these. As this is a federal framework, final decisions on timing will be Canada's. Based on current discussions, it is our hope that the substantial work that has gone into the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework will result in meaningful investments in the Northwest Territories starting with the federal 2019 budget.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response and, as well, the timelines. Mr. Speaker, next year is an election year, and I hope, during the development and the final stages of this policy framework, that the Government of the Northwest Territories makes a big push to ensure that our sovereignty and our needs for infrastructure in the Northwest Territories are looked after.
Mr. Speaker, I am just wondering if the Premier would give us an update on any movements any time soon, in the near future, and down within the next 365 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As we have committed previously, we are committed to providing a Northwest Territories chapter once it is in a suitable format that can be shared. At this time, we are still yet to achieve that because the chapter keeps changing almost on a weekly basis. We are still committed to sharing that information as soon as we reach that point.
Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
