Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to return to the Minister of strategic infrastructure. And my next round of questioning is going to be framed around who is representing the city of Yellowknife's interest in the 50 percent of our economy, Mr. Speaker.
Will the Minister of strategic infrastructure sign a memorandum of agreement, or a cooperation partnership agreement, with the City of Yellowknife to ensure 50 percent of the northern economy doesn't get boxed out and becomes a partner, as pointed out by the infrastructure Minister earlier today?
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy, and Supply Chains.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I meet frequently with the city. I have presented at the city quite recently, and I am happy to continue to have those discussions with the city to see what best way we can continue to work together and to discuss with them the state of the project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister be interested in signing a formal agreement with respect to the Arctic Economic Security Corridor noting that the city of Yellowknife's interests will be represented at the table in some form, and it should highlight as a clear non-starter that the city of Yellowknife will not be excluded from this initiative. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the mayor of the city of Yellowknife has not expressed any concern of being excluded of the project. And, Mr. Speaker, we have done a lot of work on the current MOU and signed an MOU right now with the two landholding groups. We're going to follow through with commitments in that, which includes ensuring that there's economic benefits for all Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am confused if the Minister thinks it only has to come from the mayor, not MLAs. I mean, I am concerned about the less value it's viewed on our opinion, Mr. Speaker. The question is, the GNWT paid 75 to 25 cent dollars on the Highway No. 9 project. It should include the city of Yellowknife because this legislature is paying it. Will the Minister agree to investigate and discuss with colleagues, such as myself, to make sure the city of Yellowknife's interest is represented in this initiative, this territorial initiative? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Final supplementary. Minister responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy, and Supply Chains.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I've already signed an MOU that says that we are committed to drive significant economic activity for Indigenous and northern residents and communities through responsible and environmentally sustainable critical mineral development. That is what the MOU that we just signed says, Mr. Speaker. I intend to follow through on that. I am more than happy to present on this project to committees, to MLAs, to the mayor, to the city, whoever wants to have those conversations. We are only at a stage of development, but quite frankly we're behind. We need to get this moving, and fighting about it and suggesting that we're not moving or suggesting that we're not working together or suggesting that there's someone who feels left out, isn't helping, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister responsible for Strategic Infrastructure, Energy, and Supply Chains. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.
