Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask about the North of 60 mining tax credit that's been advocated by this government, that's been advocated by other northern governments and by our industry. We don't have the capacity to carry such a credit. The federal government would have to do it. Can -- I'm not sure who, either the Premier or the Minister of ITI -- inform us of is this still -- the creation of a North of 60 tax credit still a priority for our federal engagement? Thank you.
Thank you. I'm going to turn to the Premier, and then he can direct it if he needs to. Thank you. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, it still is a priority. When I was down in Ottawa just a couple weeks ago, a few weeks ago, myself and the Deputy Premier met with Minister Champagne, and we raised this. We had a good discussion about the need for it, about the cost of doing business in the territory, about the level of investment, and all those types of things that surround this type of initiative. The Minister was there, the deputy Minister was there, and other high-level officials from the Department of Finance. So we have made the case a number of times through a number of avenues and will continue to advocate for the North of 60 mineral exploration tax credit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's great news. I'm glad that this hasn't fallen off the agenda. But I'd like to know is the Council of Leaders behind the tax credit as well and can we marshall or combine that combined leadership caucus, get everyone on the same page in calling for this important economic tool to grow our economy and restore our mining decline? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's a number of Indigenous governments that are in support of this. Whether there's an official position from the Council of Leaders, I'd have to go back and check my notes. And I never want to speak on behalf of the Council of Leaders. We are just one member. And, you know, when there's a group, the members don't like it when just one member speaks on behalf of the entire group. So I will say that there are -- there is support from Indigenous governments. In terms of the actual Council of Leaders, I will have to get back to the Member. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to receiving that back.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So this government has been in office for about five months, and they haven't released a budget yet, so I'd say it's a little premature to issue a red alert. We have had a much different relationship with this government. The conversations at the official’s level, at the Ministers level, have been much more, I'd say, fruitful. There's been much more interest I have found. There's a real desire to advance the development of critical minerals and to make investments in the North that show the world that Canada is investing in the North in terms of sovereignty and security. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
