Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question would be to the Premier.
Mr. Speaker, the federal government is streamlining environmental assessments under the single review policy. Has the Minister met with the federal counterparts to ensure federal regulations continue to protect our waters here in the Northeast Territories given that if regulations are up to Alberta alone it may not safeguard our rights to clean water for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to hand that over to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So this has been an ongoing issue that we have certainly addressed at the federal level through conversations with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, as well as the provincial level with Alberta, and we have also put out two written statements that clearly define our position when it comes to treat and release that we don't believe that under current conditions the science supports that as an approach. We've also encouraged both the federal and Alberta government to look at alternatives to treat and release as a potential solution for this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess my next question will be back to the Minister of ECE if that's okay. Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, Alberta has signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal Government of Canada to expand the oil sands development and, currently, it is anticipated Alberta will negotiate with the Coastal First Nation, BC. Does the Minister of ECE agree that the NWT and its Indigenous governments deserve a seat at that table to ensure downstream communities and ecosystems are protected? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, certainly from the Department of Environment and Climate Change perspective, we have always worked with our Indigenous partners, our Indigenous governments, and our Indigenous organizations, and we have many boards and representatives that participate in these activities, and we are constantly sharing information in both directions. So we certainly believe that that is the case. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Final supplementary. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the court strikes down Alberta Bill 7 for violating Indigenous rights on transboundary protections, how will the Minister of ECC ensure Alberta complies and that Northerners' waters and communities are safeguarded? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this question is really a hypothetical question. There has been no decision made, so we would have to wait until the decision is completed in order to respond. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Oral questions. Member from Range Lake.
