Diane Archie served as the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake in the 19th Legislative Assembly. An Inuvialuit Beneficiary, she commenced her professional career with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) as a Youth Worker.She advanced into progressively senior positions, including Assistant Comptroller, Executive Director of Community Development, Chief Negotiator, and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. She subsequently undertook the role of self‑government negotiator, representing the Inuvialuit at regional, territorial, and national forums.
Her expertise was further broadened through a secondment to British Petroleum, where she gained knowledge in offshore oil and gas development and licensing requirements. Raised in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, she was custom adopted by her grandparents and grew up immersed in a traditional Inuvialuit lifestyle, moving seasonally between camps under the guidance of her Daduck and Nannuk.
Her educational achievements include completion of Grade 12 at Grollier Hall in Inuvik, a Business Management Diploma from Arctic College, a Bachelor of Management degree, and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.
In public service, Ms. Archie was elected as the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake in the 19th Legislative Assembly, during which time she resided in Inuvik. She was appointed to Cabinet by Premier Caroline Cochrane, serving as Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. In July 2020, she assumed responsibility for Seniors, and later that year, she continued as Deputy Premier while being named Minister of Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the next phase of the work on the project is expected to be advanced early in the new year. It includes things like the preliminary planning, design, consultation, engagement activities, as well as the environmental baseline studies, developing there's a lot of things that come into play here, Mr. Speaker and, you know, I would be happy to prepare a brief update to the Member on some of the details. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd be happy to provide the Member with detailed information on the Whati line. We're still in discussions and looking for some partnerships along the line. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to see these local contractors paid as soon as possible. We are working with the contractors to be able to direct them to be able to get their payments. You know, this is in my riding as well, and I'm doing my best to be able to ensure that, you know, we start this process. Right now it's just in the it's before the legal system so my powers are very limited. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, NT Energy has bonding in place for the project to protect the financial loss and protect subcontractors if they're not paid accordingly to the contract terms for their labour and materials they provide. NT Energy provided subcontractors with information on how to access the labour and materials bond, but some subcontractors have been unable to access it due to the terms of their contract with the primary contractor. NT Energy cannot compensate the subcontractors for unpaid work as it's not a party to this contract. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is in the early stages of the Taltson project. You know, we are seeking federal government. They have provided us money to be able to work with Indigenous partners. We're doing that. We also need to look at things like, you know, exploring some business options. We're able to work together with Indigenous groups to get everybody at the table because this is going to be a big, huge project for the Northwest Territories. I'm not in a position right now, Mr. Speaker, to provide what the but the next government can decide how much to share...
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the business case is being developed to articulate things like the strategic rationale for the project, demonstrates both economic and social impacts to the Northwest Territories, determine the method by which the project is implemented to ensure optimal value for money. This is still work underway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and I do want to thank the Member for that question. I don't thank Members very often for their questions, but this one is a really important question that I want to acknowledge the Member for saying so. And I want to note that we have ongoing dialogue with project partners, and we are open to working with the on specific areas of interest that are identified at the steering and the working group level. We are aware that there is potential for archaeological sites in the Rocher River and are open to learn more about the archaeological sites or...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the project has been designed to take advantage of existing infrastructure with no new flooding as an important design requirement. We are in the process, Mr. Speaker, of engaging with our Indigenous partners to define the project footprint as well as integrate traditional knowledge, land use, and areas of importance to our Indigenous partners as part of that work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are still in discussions with the Tlicho. We are looking at the cooperation agreement so that we can have more information to be prepared and provide to the public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of
, 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 162)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Julie in the gallery as well. I knew her growing up in Aklavik, and she's a good friend of mine and she's like family. So thank you for being here, Julie. Mahsi.
