Caroline Cochrane

Thank you, Madam Chair. The work on the scientific review was to be done in cooperation with the Inuvialuit, the GNWT, the Yukon government. So that is why that work should be shared with the membership first. There's been no discussion with the four parties on that sciencebased review at this point. So we're asking for a review of that so that we can all sit at the table and discuss it first. And, really, I mean, even if they reached out to the Inuvialuit, it is their land. It's their area. So I think that they to do due diligence, I think that the federal government should share their...

Thank you, Madam Chair. So the Status of Women Council is an arm's length. It's not the the GNWT does not oversee them and tell them what to do. They provide reports through them; there is an Act for them but they really govern their own. So, Madam Chair, I'm not sure I don't even know why the last executive director left. I do know that it's not for the GNWT to determine their executive director. That's a process that they do. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. They don't need to wait. We were working on them all simultaneously. There is a little bit of a trust issue that we're trying to address right now, Madam Chair, with the federal government. And so hopefully when the federal government shares the scientific review, that will regain some of that trust. So it's always a delicate area that we work on when we're trying to work with different parties, different government levels. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to ask Lauren if she wants to expand on it but my understanding is that the contributions are from the whole of the GNWT. It's not just from the executive. So sometimes agencies like Justice, for example, with this one, will give money, and then but it might be for a shortterm contract so that's showing but it's not longer term. But, Madam Chair, if I could turn to Lauren.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would love to make that commitment, but I don't think it would be fair to EIA to make that commitment yet. I think this issue is going to be very, very tenuous at the Council of Leaders' table. I don't know if it's going to be resolved in one month, one year, ten years. So I can't commit EIA to doing that because it may if it's in this government, then I'll be looking at it. If it's in the next government, I can't commit the next government. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do appreciate the Member recognizing that it is not an easy issue. It's contentious not only within our definitions of how we define it but also contentious within Indigenous governments. We have some Indigenous governments that feel that they can put cabins anywhere in the NWT. We have other Indigenous governments saying not on my land. Those are issues that are alive and well. So I'm not going to commit in the House here about the solution. What I am committed to, and I've already brought that to the Council of Leaders, is that is a discussion that will go to the...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The health minister would like that deferred to her. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Having a concluded modern treaty is not required to join devolution or the Intergovernmental Council. However, though, having a finalized agreement does answer questions within their agreement surrounding land management and authority. So we're optimistic, and we're really glad that the Deh Cho is back to the negotiations table, and we're hopeful that their negotiations will advance quickly. But as I said earlier, Madam Speaker, all work at the Intergovernmental Council consults with all Indigenous governments, whether they're at the table or not, on areas that may be...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I believe that the Member is talking about the Intergovernmental Council, about the land and resources legislation. That is done, like you said, through devolution at the Intergovernmental Council table. For those governments that aren't part of that table, they're always welcome to joint that table but if they're not part of it, then there still is a consultation process that happens if the land and resources is in their areas, and they're still invited to sit on working groups to provide support for those legislative initiatives going forward. Thank you, Madam...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Shane Thompson will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the federal/provincial/territorial sport, physical activity, and recreation ministers’ meetings in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

As well, Madam Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Julie Green will be late for the House today as she is currently participating in a phone meeting with Indigenous Services Canada's Minister Hajdu. Thank you, Madam Speaker.