Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Lands. Previously, the Minister of Lands said that he will have a process set out for transferring land within municipal boundaries to municipal governments. Specifically, my concern is with the City of Yellowknife and transferring the vacant Commissioner's land, not the land that is currently withdrawn. Can the Minister provide an update on any process that has been made on this front? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Minister of Lands.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have said in the House here before, we are working with Indigenous governments in the City of Yellowknife to move the process forward. We have had a number of meetings, and we are trying to work with them to come up with a process that works for everybody involved, including the City of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
One of the concerns here is that, before the Department of Lands divests itself of lands, there needs to be section 35 consultation. I recognize that there are going to be multiple meetings and there are a number of processes here involving EIA. Can the Minister of Lands commit that they are doing the section 35 consultation, or is that work the responsibility of the city? I'm trying to figure out which party is actually responsible for the Section 35 consultation here.
Both. The City of Yellowknife needs to work with Indigenous governments, but we also need to work with Indigenous governments and the City of Yellowknife right now. We are working together. We are having numerous meetings; we are collaborating; we are having these conversations. Again, it's about people working together. We are trying to do what's right in a timely manner. I know it seems to be drawn out, but we are working together, and we have had a number of meetings.
I am glad to hear that they are working together. I am hoping that I won't be hearing that in three years and this issue won't be resolved. Another key issue in this matter is that, before the land can legally be transferred, the surveying costs for land of this size is significant. Can the Department of Lands update me on any efforts to find funding to conduct that surveying, and who is ultimately responsible that cost?
When it comes to surveying lands, it is actually the municipality's responsibility, not the department's. I am hoping that, within three years, it will be done, but again, it's about people working together. If they are not going to be able to work together, that is our challenge. Right now, from my understanding in talking with the YK Dene chiefs and the Mayor of Yellowknife, people are working together. They are working to come up with an agreement.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I respect that, and I know that land issues in the Northwest Territories are extremely complicated and that they can often get held up because they get tied into other, much larger, reconciliation issues. My final question is: can the Minister of Lands update me to any conversations that are ongoing with the North Slave Metis Alliance in regard to this transfer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
From my understanding, there have not been any conversations yet with the North Slave Metis, but we will confirm with the department and the city and get back to the Member. Thank you.
