Denny Rodgers

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm encouraged by the Minister's comments that they are working with the Indigenous governments on this. I think given that the fact that, again, this House where, you know, we're committed to working closer with our Indigenous governments, with our partners, and my question is would the Minister entertain, then, axing the lease costs for any Indigenous cabin in an established rights area? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I believe I heard that the collections are paused on Members on leaseholders with leases that are in arrears. Will the Minister immediately pause collections on all Indigenous people's recreational leases as stated in the response?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On August 23rd, 2023, the department announced changes to land lease pricing, and on October 4th, 2023, the Minister of Lands announced in the House that the Minister recognize land lease fees were challenging for many residents. Mr. Speaker, land lease rents were raised in 2018 up to $840.

A threetiered system for all recreational leases was proposed to ensure those with limited and seasonal access will pay less than those with yearround access. Mr. Speaker, the new Public Lands Act, which has received assent but waiting for regulations to be implemented to come into...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, given the statement that the Premier just made, I only have one other question, Mr. Speaker. Will this government be issuing an apology to the Indigenous government it fought in court?

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning, the Supreme Court of Canada released its longawaited decision on Indigenous child welfare. As many in this Chamber know, the previous GNWT governments saw fit to challenge in court the rights of Indigenous governments to take care of their own children.

Mr. Speaker, despite being encouraged by lawyers in the region to withdraw their challenge, the previous government persisted, continuing that fight at the Supreme Court. Today, the GNWT lost that fight, and rightly so. Today, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the right of...

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a followup to my statement this morning on the Supreme Court of Canada decision on Indigenous child welfare, I'd like to ask the Premier, Mr. Speaker, what is the Premier's plan to ensure the principles of the Supreme Court's decisions are upheld?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And certainly I appreciate the Premier has a lot of issues in his portfolio. But I will ask, and something else to add to that wrap, I guess, is that has the GNWT established a definition of Indigenous businesses for the purposes of the policy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 19th Legislative Assembly committed to ensuring that government procurement maximizes benefits for the NWT residents and businesses. In order to fulfill this commitment, in December of 2020 the GNWT hired an independent panel to provide recommendations to strengthen GNWT procurement policies. This independent panel conducted public consultation, engaged with stakeholders, and reviewed years of contract data.

Mr. Speaker, on August 2023 the GNWT responded to this panel review report with a report on the review of GNWT procurement policies and practices...