Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the first day of this session, I provided Members with an overview of lands, resources and self-government negotiations in the Northwest Territories. Today, I would like to provide the House with a more in-depth update on the negotiation of a Dogrib final agreement.
Recently I met with DIAND Minister Robert Nault, the Dogrib Grand Chief Joe Rabesca and the Dogrib chiefs. Dogrib leaders said they would like to conclude a final agreement in time for their summer assembly. Both Minister Nault and I agreed to work towards that target.
At the same meeting, Minister Nault assured us that Canada would pay 100 percent of the agreed-upon incremental costs needed to implement the final agreement. This commitment from Canada was welcomed by the GNWT, and from our perspective will really help the three parties move towards concluding a final agreement.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to tell the House today that I believe negotiations are proceeding well and that reaching an initialled, final agreement by this summer seems possible. Our negotiating team recently returned from a successful negotiating session and have reported to me that the Intergovernmental Services Agreement is near completion, and that the main working groups have developed detailed work plans aimed at completing the necessary work on time. The Intergovernmental Services Agreement will enable a Dogrib community services agency to deliver education, health and social programs to all residents in the four Dogrib communities.
Mr. Speaker, in order to reach this target, all three parties will have to complete a substantial amount of work in a short period of time. The GNWT has made the commitment to assign additional staff to work on outstanding Dogrib issues, primarily the modelling and costing exercise, which will determine the incremental costs of implementing the final agreement. As well, Mr. Speaker, the main negotiating table has agreed to lengthen several of the upcoming negotiating sessions in order to accelerate the pace of work on all outstanding tasks.
Mr. Speaker, there are other significant issues that must be resolved before initialling the final agreement. For example, Canada and the Dogrib must reach agreement on the matter of certainty. Certainty refers to the federal policy requiring that the settlement of aboriginal and treaty rights to lands and resources create certainty of title to the lands and resources once and for all. As well, Mr. Speaker, the Dogrib must resolve overlap issues with both the Deh Cho and Akaitcho First Nations. In addition, the GNWT is responsible for developing the legislation to establish the Dogrib community governments and the Dogrib community services agency.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the GNWT, Canada and the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council will each do their utmost to meet the target of having a final agreement to bring to the Dogrib Assembly this summer. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause