Masi. Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As part of our mandate to have a more open and transparent government, we have taken several steps. Cabinet has had informal meetings with the public in Norman Wells and in Inuvik. At the summer caucus retreat, we will be looking at various models for the ombudsman role, so that's another step we have taken towards a more open and transparent government. In addition, the rules committee has been looking at various models to have the scope of the mid-term review that will take place in 2017, and that also will be discussed at the the caucus meeting this summer. Steps have been taken.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's reply in terms of the efforts that have taken to date in terms of being more open, but it doesn't speak directly to the development of an open government policy.

However, my next question, Mr. Speaker, is: if we are truly committed to improving transparency and fully intend to have improved public participation, it will surely take more time and government resources. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise Members what government resources he intends to use to make sure we don't fall short of our commitment to engage?

This government is, Mr. Speaker, committed to a more open and transparent government, and, apart from the efforts I have already mentioned, there is, of course, the comprehensive review of the ATIPP Act which is being conducted at this very time. The original Act came into force in 1996, and we have gone out for public consultation. The original closing date, if I can put it that way, for that was June 15th, 2016, but I understand that has been extended to July 15th. So we are making efforts in changing the Act. This is a very important piece of legislation that will lead to a more open and transparent government.

Mr. Speaker, inclusive public engagement requires a plan as well as help from those who understand and have relationships with those communities and constituents with whom we want to have included. Those who have an interest typically find a way to be involved, Mr. Speaker. But, Mr. Speaker, what does the Minister have planned to engage the less-involved populations?

Mr. Speaker, of course the going out for public engagement on the ATIPP Act is an important aspect which allows the general public to become engaged in the making of this very important piece of legislation, or the updating of this very important piece of legislation.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question. Not only is it important for this government to develop a strong engagement plan and actively roll it out and make it a part of our daily business, but it is important to learn from our experiences. Mr. Speaker, how does the government intend to capture what we have learned and incorporate the lessons into our delivery of programs and services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we can capture what we have learned in various ways. First of all, as I mentioned several times previously in answers, the ATIPP Act, we are seeking the involvement of the general public in that. Also, of course, as I mentioned, at the caucus meeting we are discussing several issues that are very important for public engagement and openness of the government. I believe we can capture what we have learned. We can hear from the public, and we can move forward in this very important area.

Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about the recently announced federal review of the environmental assessment processes. While I welcome this initiative to rebuild public confidence, there is no place for residents in the Mackenzie Valley to participate in this review. Can the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations shed any light on why we have been excluded from this review and whether this was discussed in his meeting with the federal Minister for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can shed a lot of light on that matter. During the federal election, in response to a question that was posed by ourselves to all of the leaders of the federal parties, I posed a question about the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, or the Northern Regulatory Improvement Initiative that was called at the time, that the leader of the liberal party, and now the Prime Minister, in his response, wrote back and said that their government would be doing a review of the whole environmental assessment process and they would set it right. In my first meeting with the Prime Minister, I asked him about it. We were ready and willing to be engaged. I also met with Minister Bennett a couple of times now. She indicated that she is quite prepared for our government to be involved in a joint review of the MVRMA. I talked to fisheries Minister LeBlanc, and he is very willing, very excited, about our government participating in the review of the Fisheries Act. In hindsight, the fact that we are not involved in the federal review is probably a good thing because that is what caused these issues anyways. Minister Bennett has indicated we will be fully involved in dealing with the northern regulatory process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response from the Minister. Certainly the previous federal government made a number of unilateral changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act that resulted in a successful court challenge by the Tlicho government. Has the Minister's cabinet colleagues had any communications with the federal government over the court challenge and any plans to repeal those changes?

We have engaged in the federal government on a number of fronts on this because it is a very important matter to us. The MVRMA is a product of land claims negotiations in the Mackenzie Valley. The goal of this legislation is to provide a single process. It provides a voice for each of the groups. Although the legislation is federal, it is the result of a collaborative process. In our minds there are three types of activities right now, all linked to the MVRMA.

First and foremost is the fact that, as the Member indicated, Canada made a number of changes to the MVRMA that impacted the North. It is not clear to us if Canada is doing the background work necessary to implement these changes, for example, consultation guidelines. We have also raised the matter of participant funding, as the Member has indicated. We have asked as to where the federal government is going with that. We know the federal government has stood down on the Tlicho legal action. But it was not clear to us, and they haven't indicated where they are going with that. We also have the fact, as the Member stated, that Canada has made commitments to restore credibility to environmental assessment commitments that would include reviewing the MVRMA. They have indicated that we would be involved in a joint review of the MVRMA. We are holding them to that. Of course, in the devolution agreement, Canada committed to review the devolution agreement provisions related to MVRMA. The previous government agreed to five years. We have told this government we think we could do it sooner. Also, there are requirements itself that the government has to put in place to fully implement devolution through the MVRMA process, which we are still waiting for indication from the federal government as to how they are proposing to do it.

I appreciate the response again from the Minister. The federal government has now indicated they are ready to repeal sections of some changes that were made to Yukon environmental assessment legislation. Has the Minister received any assurances from the federal government that they are going to be repealing the changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and is there a timetable for those changes?

We have received no indication that they will be repealing any legislation. We have no timelines. The last meeting I had was with the federal fisheries Minister where there is an indication that the review of the Fisheries Act will also look at the Navigable Waters Act, will also look at environmental assessment. We indicated to him that we were ready, willing, and available to participate. He was very excited about that, and he was looking forward to us participating and working with him on it.

Oral question. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Fisheries Act is an important piece of federal legislation. I am glad there is going to be some changes, perhaps a need to that. I am talking about the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and this federal review of environmental assessment processes and how the North has been excluded. I am wondering if I can get a commitment out of the Minister to write to the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and seek a firm timeline for repealing those changes to Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and some way for us, as Northerners, to be involved in the federal process that is being undertaken? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I have already written to the Indigenous affairs Minister a number of times. I have met with her at least three or four times. We will be meeting again in the coming months. I am quite prepared to write to her again to specifically ask her about the environmental assessment and if she has any timelines.

Masi. Oral question. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member's statement here, during the summer we will see the new health structure take place for the Sahtu and other regions throughout the territories here on August 1st. I would like to ask the Minister of Health what preliminary action plans are in place for the startup date of the new structure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a lot of work has gone into preparing us for the August 1stdeadline when the new legislation takes effect. Last week, we notified the upcoming members of the different regional wellness councils who were nominated, including the board chairs. We will be bringing individuals together to provide some upfront training prior to the go-live date. Significant work is being done right now on organizational design, identifying the positions that are being required, and how the linkages will work between the existing authority today and how they will all work together in authorities.

I do want to remind Members and the public that August 1stis one step in moving forward and transforming the health and social services system here in the Northwest Territories. It would allow us to have a new structure that will allow us to make changes that will benefit all residents in the Northwest Territories. Some of these changes will take time. August 1stis the date that allows us to start making those changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.