Caroline Cochrane

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't really speak for the next government or governments to come. The Premier does have the option to be able to shuffle departments, move Ministers as appropriate, consolidate as we did, or make departments bigger. That's always under the purview of the Premier. However, I did my best, Mr. Speaker, to try to make it sustainable within the Executive and Indigenous Affairs, and that's why purposely I brought the homelessness strategy under the Premier's portfolio in this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. There is a difference. And, Madam Chair, the Member is right. There is a Regular Member that's invited to the Intergovernmental Council table, and there's a Regular Member that's invited to the Council of Leaders table. Those tables, both the Intergovernmental Council and the Council of Leaders, are the leaders of the governments GNWT, Indigenous governments, and organizations. They are chiefs, Ministers, Premier, presidents, whatever chair, whatever the title may be. The difference, Madam Chair, is that this is an action plan committee. There may be the occasional...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I love openended questions; I can just answer them wherever I want. The reality is is that, Mr. Speaker, if I was to reflect back, there is advice to the next government would be always be flexible, always be open minded, truly hear what people are saying, not just what they speak but what they mean by that. Negotiations take decades is something I've realized. So, you know, I'd like to take credit for all the work. I'd like to be envious a little bit of the next government being able to sign some of these really early on. But the reality is is they take decades; there...

Thank you, Madam Chair. There's several methods that the Regular Members can use to determine progress on the action plan committee. In theory, Madam Chair, the Minister that's applicable would actually offer that to standing committee or make a statement in the House. But if that doesn't happen, then the Regular Members have the option to ask questions in the House of the applicable Minister and the applicable standing committee can ask the Minister to present to standing committee either as a technical or as a political one. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize grand chief Lafferty. Not only did he become grand chief but he right away took agreed to take on the chair for the Council of Leaders, which now is a different chair, but shows to his honour and his courage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise pursuant to Rule 1.8(1) one of the rules of the Legislative Assembly to make a personal explanation. Yesterday, during Members' statements 59919(2), the MLA for Kam Lake states as follows, as quoted in unedited Hansard: During the press conference, the Premier asked residents who could get an a commercial flight and leave town to do so, and they did. The press conference that the MLA is referring to was August 16th, 2023. I personally reviewed the video of this press conference and want to provide this House with the complete quote that I understand the MLA is referring to...

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh, on May 31, 2023, regarding Federal Indian Day Schools.

Mr. Speaker, as I acknowledged yesterday in my Return to Written Question response on the issue that has been raised by the Member, the Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to engage with Indigenous governments and communities to learn more about how they choose to proceed with the investigation of this still upsetting chapter in their past and how they believe the Government of the Northwest Territories can assist them. We will work...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to defer that to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like to recognize Mr. Kieron Testart who is a constituent of Range Lake and I believe is putting his name forward, so welcome to the gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think I'd like to defer that to the Minister of Finance. Thank you.