Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement, my questions are a follow-up and directed to the Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier has said the territory is in discussions with the federal government to push for tangible action like competitive mining incentives and a strong federal partnership. What work is the senior envoy doing to support the economic mandate of the Assembly at these discussions? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's no doubt that the focus these days is on the economy, and that's across Canada. You know, because we're facing a threat from an external actor who is really threatening our economic stability and viability of our country. So the economy is going to loom large with the role of the senior envoy. And the purpose of this role is to have a connection with Ottawa so that we can move things along. There's big projects that we can't do ourselves here in the Northwest Territories. Things like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, we'll definitely need federal support for that. The Taltson Hydro Expansion, we'll need federal support for that. And so it's ensuring that we have those touch points with our federal counterparts. There's also things like the North of 60 mineral exploration tax credit that we have been pushing. And that's another thing, that we can't do that, but the federal government can do that, though. You know, there's also the opportunity to meet with industry. Industry is always in and out of Ottawa lobbying, and there's opportunities for the envoy to have those types of meetings with industry and discuss what's going on in the territory, and to support Indigenous governments in their economic -- their pursuit of economic opportunities that involve Ottawa. And so there's a number of Indigenous governments in the territory with great relationships in Ottawa, know how to get into a Minister's office, a federal Minister's office, but we have a number of Indigenous governments that don't have settled claims, don't have that level of capacity or integration with Ottawa, and the envoy will be able to help them as well. And if we help an Indigenous -- if we support an Indigenous government to advance their economic opportunities and the economy in their region, that helps the entire territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Premier for that clarification.
My second question, can the Premier explain the transparency measures and the process for how the work of the envoy to the Government of Canada will be reported back to the House. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, of course, I'm always here in the House to answer questions, so that's a transparency method that works across government. But the results are going to be -- or sorry, the accountability is going to be in the results. I hope to be able to show this House and show Members that, with the support of the envoy and the entire GNWT, we're actually getting things done. And so I don't have -- you know, I don't have a framework to parse out, you know, what percentage of that success is attributable to this role. But the fact is that, you know, I am here to be held to account for the actions of the government and for my actions as Minister, and so that's always an option for Members. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary. Member from Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank to the Premier for the explanation for that previous question.
My last question, can the Premier explain the mandate of the envoy position and specifically say whether this will be a permanent position within the Premier's office or just temporarily support head of the federal election. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the idea behind the envoy is to have a dedicated, proactive, and strategic link between the political offices in Ottawa and the political offices here in the Northwest Territories. That's what's often needed to get things moving. And as to whether or not the position is permanent, well nothing in politics is permanent, so I can't speak for the future of the position past this government. And even during the life of this government, we'll see things work. I think too often the government will make a decision and then stick with it whether or not it's working. I'm happy to see how things work and adjust as needed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.
