Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the future of the Beaufort Delta economy is uncertain.

Prime Minister Trudeau and former U.S. President, Barack Obama recently announced a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration. This five-year agreement was made without consultation with the Northwest Territories or Nunavut or considering the opinions, livelihood or economy of the people living in the regions.

To echo a statement made by the CEO of IRC, Duane Smith, “the lack of meaningful communication is startling given Canada's stated commitment to improve the relationships between Inuit and the Crown."

Mr. Speaker, the people of the Beaufort Delta want responsible economic development. Oil and gas development has been an economic driver since the exploration began in the 1960s. Interest in development has already dropped. In 2015 Imperial Oil and BP PLC scrapped their plans for drilling north of Tuktoyaktuk. The communities are struggling and residents feel like they're options for the future are very limited.

The Prime Minister has said the next five years will give residents the opportunity to diversify the economy through fisheries and scientific research. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has done good work on initiatives under the Economic Opportunities Strategy, but at this point the Beaufort Delta needs a regional strategy focus on getting people involved in these industries to create stable long-term jobs. The people of the Beaufort Delta have to be part of it.

Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit have rights as Canadian citizens and under their land claims as well as through our own government. Residents are looking to the Government of the Northwest Territories to uphold their interest. Mr. Speaker, we need to support economic diversification in the Beaufort Delta, but also the interests of its people before the Crown need to send a strong message to Canada that it's not about us without us. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.