Thank you, Mr Chairman. Just to quickly go back. So can the Department clarify that we're in fact hosting two different avenues of consultation: that the feds under Parks Canada are responsible for in hosting their own rounds of public consultations; and is the GNWT hosting its own rounds of consultation? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Mr. Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, the Member's correct.

Thank you, Minister Schumann. Any further questions Mr. Vanthuyne?

No further question, just a general comment. I would probably have to suggest then that this might be some of the challenges that the public has in understanding what is going on with the establishment of this park? Who in fact is the lead? Who is responsible for what? Is that we seem to be a little bit challenged in even identifying who can just simply be the voice of communication on the establishment of this park. So that's just something for the department to consider maybe in working with the partners, to try to establish one voice so that communication can be clear to the public. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Would Mr. Schumann like to comment on that or...?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I respect the Member's comments, but I think that the briefing that we'll offer will help clear up a lot of this stuff, and we'll look forward to engaging with Committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Schumann. Next we have Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to understand. Earlier I did mention the term Protected Areas Strategy Initiative and where it fits within the government at this point. I understand it's been changed into Conservation Network Initiative. So if I can get some explanation in terms of whether they've changed gears in terms of how the approach will be taken in terms of engaging and collaborating with communities.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Campbell.

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Any further questions, Mr. Nadli?

Thank you, Mr Chair. I understand in terms of some background context, I think how PAS or Conservation Area Networks are related was this concept of Y-to-Y, Yellowstone to Yukon, you know, establishing a network of conservation areas for wildlife habitat. My understanding, that was the founding initiative that drove the development of the PAS initiatives.

I understand NGOs had a clear role in terms of ensuring resources and commitment and support were given to communities along with government. So I just wanted some clarification whether the parties remain the same, as both levels of government involved, including the federal government, plus NGOs and communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Campbell.

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This will likely be my last question. There’s several strategies that are developed, including the Conservation Network Initiatives, there's the Boreal Initiatives. How integral will the Land Use and Sustainability Framework play in terms of ensuring that there's consistencies with plans across the NWT? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Campbell.

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Next, we have Mr. Nakimayak.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just getting back to what Mr. Nadli was talking about on conservation areas. I know there's a few going on, and one in Western Canada and one in Eastern Canada as well too. The one in Eastern Canada involves Canada, Greenland, the federal government, Nunavut. That's just an example of how many different organizations, you know, can be sitting and negotiating on conservation areas.

I hope that we don't establish these conservation areas just to protect them from development, but also have the Aboriginal people -- like, there's a lot of Aboriginal groups in my region. We use the ocean, we utilize that a lot, and then we're looking at high seas fisheries regulations…to prevent and regulate fishing by other countries in our waters. Pretty soon the polar ice cap is melting, the waters are opening up and I hope that we can continue to monitor, you know, with ENR and along with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with the Government of Canada on this, to ensure that when we do start to negotiate for our territory and our regions that our Aboriginal groups are involved in every step of the way.

Like Mr. Nadli says, it's important to have as many groups as possible that have a stake in the region. The stakeholders in my region would be the Inuvialuit. So I hope that the GNWT is playing a parallel role with the Inuvialuit to ensure that conservation is not just preservation, but actually conservation for the better of our environment and our people. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Nakimayak. Mr. Campbell.

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Schumann.