Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. I know there are -- I mean, the whole purpose of this is to increase capacity in Indigenous employment in the regions, you know, give opportunities for Indigenous businesses to grow. I'm wondering -- and it's a question I've been asked -- there's also some non-Indigenous ran businesses that employ many Indigenous employees in the region as well. They've asked is there going to be any kind of a -- is there going to be any opportunity in the new policy to account for that as well, account for that to have -- if you, you know, and again, it's all...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 340-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 2025-2026. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And that's a good answer, Mr. Speaker. And I know that the Minister is well aware of what's happening here and what needs to be done and the length of time it's taken many years to get to where we are today. Following up on that, Mr. Speaker, one of the things that come out of the forum was the develop -- follow-up materials for Indigenous governments. Can the Minister speak to the timeline now as when we're going to follow up on that and, indeed, start this -- continue this consultation, gets that information out to Indigenous governments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for many years, Indigenous governments have raised concerns over the GNWT's approach to traditional use cabins. They have made it clear that requiring recreational leases and charges fees for,members' cabins does not align with their understanding of aboriginal rights. Mr. Speaker, I brought it up in this House before. I know my colleague, Minister Semmler, in 2023, brought it up as well.

Most recently, Mr. Speaker, ECC held a two-day workshop in Yellowknife meant to advance the conversation around this topic. It is my understanding that progress was made...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 340-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 2025-2026, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 340-20(1) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. I think we're starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel here, and I know it's going to take a continued commitment from the Minister to keep pushing this issue forward and getting this work done. Follow-up question, Mr. Speaker, you mentioned the amendments to the Northwest Territories land regulations. Do we have a timeline for that? Has the department come up with a schedule and timeline to get these amendments done so we can move this forward? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up on my Member's statement today regarding the recent work done by the Department of ECC on the developing materials for the Indigenous governments around land leasing. My first question for the Minister of ECC is how would the department, I guess, define Indigenous traditional use cabins and who they are for? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know I can speak for AOC when I say we're ready for these LPs. You know, we're ready to get working on this. I appreciate that it's been brought up a little, that's going to be introduced in the winter sitting. My question, I guess, would be I know there's public engagement that has to be done on that. Can that public engagement on those three important pieces of legislation be done through the summer months to move this up even further, Mr. Speaker? We'd welcome these LPs as soon as they come forward, so the quicker we can get this work done, the better...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I mentioned three pieces of legislation that are in the queue. This legislation is paramount to our war on drugs and the criminal activity that comes with drugs. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Justice. Can he give this House an update and what the status is of these three very important pieces of legislation - safer communities and neighbourhoods legislation, civil forfeiture legislation, and the trespass legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.