Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier.
Indeed, we know that having a good working relationship is important for advancement. With that in mind, I want to ask the Premier how is this government planning to ensure that upcoming mining and infrastructure projects in the Tlicho region deliver long-term socio-economic benefits for communities beyond short-term employment? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, of course, the Tlicho have tens of thousands of square kilometers of contiguous land and there are opportunities for mines on that land, from what I understand. And so from that standpoint alone, there would be ongoing benefits and benefits directly to Tlicho residents.
In terms of infrastructure, we want to ensure that when there's new infrastructure, if there's maintenance, that that's done locally. For example, roads, we always like to ensure that the communities closest to the roads are the ones doing the maintenance on those. So there's long-term benefits there as well.
And the Tlicho are no strangers to capitalizing on economic opportunities. With the diamond mines, the Tlicho government has run many successful programs, and sent many students to post-secondary and supported a number of economic opportunities that way as well. So I would say that it's not on the government, GNWT, alone to ensure that. The Tlicho government is a strong, sophisticated government, and we will work in partnership, as we always do, with them to ensure that there are lasting benefits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the response. Mr. Speaker, given the imminent closure of the Diavik diamond mine and Gahcho Kue mine just recently announced -- so what step is this government taking to develop a comprehensive transition plan for affected Tlicho communities and other northern communities in the NWT? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And so for quite some time we've known that the diamond sector is going through a transition and the market is not quite as robust or stable as it used to be, and so we have already, for a number of months now, had a partnership with the Tlicho government and the Yellowknives Dene to ensure that we are pooling resources, we're getting information out there, and we're supporting residents the best way that we can. So that work has already begun. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Final supplementary. Member from Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, How is this government working with both Indigenous government and federal partners to advance the proposed Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and secure funding for critical road and trades infrastructure? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And how we're doing that is in partnership. Once again, we were just down in Vancouver at the AME Roundup where I signed an MOU with the Yellowknives Dene and the Tlicho to advance the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor. Of course we have a Minister of Strategic Infrastructure, Energy, and Supply Chains -- see, it's not that hard of a title -- to focus on this work with an associate Minister who -- and I have found that arrangement actually to be one of the most effective things that we do as government, to have an associate and a Minister focusing on these specific projects. It has really helped to move them along. We've travelled down to Ottawa many times, both as Council of Leaders -- or rather, with other Indigenous governments, to advocate for the economic security corridor. I've done this to the Prime Minister, to a number of Ministers, as has the Minister of infrastructure. We have a timeline that we're working through with the proponents, the Yellowknives Dene and the Tlicho, to advance this. We're in had regular contact with the leadership of those Indigenous governments. And so we're doing everything we can to move things forward here. We have a federal government that is receptive. The world has a focus on the Arctic and on critical minerals, and we are doing our best to take advantage of that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.
