Mr. Speaker, all 19 Members of the Legislative Assembly were given a mandate by the people of the Northwest Territories to represent their best interests. We walk into this building every day to represent the people who look to us to take action on the issues that are important to them and to ensure that we move our territory forward for future generations to a better chance at success and for our communities to be healthier and more vibrant. It is a humbling responsibility and one I know we all take very seriously.
Mr. Speaker, consensus government is built on a foundation of working together. When Members unanimously adopted the first-ever mandate of the Northwest Territories in March 2016, we made approximately 200 commitments to the people of this territory. We all share responsibility for advancing those commitments during our four-year term and, Mr. Speaker, we will do just that. It is important we all remember that our success as a government rests with us all. We all share in the responsibility of representing each and every person in the Northwest Territories, and ensuring we achieve the commitments we all agreed on.
Nearly halfway through, we have made progress in all areas of our mandate. We have completed 53 commitments, and another 145 are in progress. Only two of our 200 commitments are in the planning stage. Mr. Speaker, we can all take credit for the work that we have accomplished in the first two years of this government. I am pleased with our progress, confident in our record, and believe we can continue to work together to make the Northwest Territories a better place for all our residents.
Mr. Speaker, in December 2015, through a Territorial Leadership Committee, all 19 Members voted to select a Premier and Cabinet. In the first two years of our government, I am pleased with the work my Cabinet colleagues have done, and I am also pleased that Regular Members have worked to keep Cabinet accountable for their decisions. Consensus government requires this delicate balance. During the Mid-Term Review, I said that the whole of Cabinet is greater than the sum of its parts, Mr. Speaker. As a Cabinet, we challenge each other to perform to a high standard for the people of the Northwest Territories. We are able to put our political and philosophical differences aside to focus on what is best for the people, regardless of what we may believe personally.
I stand today to speak on behalf of Minister Sebert and the team of which he is a part. Minister Sebert is a strong advocate for his constituents and his community. He is also a strong supporter of the Aboriginal governments in his region. Together, Cabinet has made a commitment to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal governments, and make progress on outstanding land, resources, and self-government claims. Cabinet continues to meet bilaterally with the Northwest Territories Metis Nation, Salt River First Nation, and Akaitcho. We have also made new offers to both the Northwest Territories Metis and the Akaitcho. Minister Sebert has been part of the meetings and decision making, and continues to be a local supporter of these Aboriginal governments and Cabinet. If you look at Minister Sebert's progress on the commitments he is responsible for under the mandate, the Department of Justice and the Department of Lands account for 14 of the 53 completed commitments. There are another 22 mandate commitments under his portfolios that are all in progress. That is not a bad record for halfway through our term of government.
Mr. Speaker, Minister Sebert works hard to oversee the departments he is responsible for, and provides valuable insight and support to his Cabinet colleagues. He shows effective leadership, is responsive to issues related to his portfolios. He is committed to transparency and accountability, and ensures Regular Members are informed of and given opportunity to provide meaningful input into important government decisions.
In his two years in Cabinet, Minister Sebert has earned the support and respect of Northwest Territories residents by engaging the public, municipal governments, business, and non-governmental organizations for their input and advice. Mr. Speaker, these are just some of the characteristics that Regular Members were assessing as part of the Mid-Term Review as outlined in the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures on the review of the establishment of a mid-term review process.
This doesn't mean, however, that we can't always find ways to do better. It is important that we continue to work hard, as there is always room for improvement, and I recognize that we cannot rest on our achievements, or lose focus on why we are here: the people. Each Member of Cabinet has brought valuable strengths to the collective whole, but one thing I can say with confidence is that each Member of Cabinet takes their job seriously and works hard for our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.