Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to talk about environmental conservation in the Northwest Territories and the need to include Indigenous governments in this effort. Earlier this year the federal government earmarked in its budget an unprecedented amount of money that is geared toward environmental conservation; $1.3 billion over five years, to be exact. This investment is reflective of the federal government's pledge to safeguard at least 17 per cent of Canada's lands and waterways by 2020.

Mr. Speaker, it is a very welcomed investment that our environment desperately needs; however, in order to fulfill these conservation targets, all sectors of our society and all levels of government must step up to help with these efforts. That means that our country cannot afford to have any of our partners sit this one out.

Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, our federal government can recognize that and is acting accordingly, because part of the planned use for this billion dollar-plus investment is to work closer with Indigenous governments in a way that both addresses reconciliation and provides further protections to Canada's most vital ecosystems.

Mr. Speaker, Indigenous-led conservation efforts are reshaping Canadians' understanding and practice of environmental conservation, because the importance of Indigenous knowledge has never been in a stronger position. This has been demonstrated across the country, from the creation of the Great Bear Rainforest on the coast of British Columbia to the creation of the Torngat Mountain National Park in Labrador. Moreover, closer to home, efforts are being put forward within the NWT. We see this with the creation of the Edehzhie protected area in the Deh Cho and the Thaidene Nene national park near Lutselk'e and the Ni Hat'ni Dene from Lutselk'e.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is perfectly positioned to work with the federal government to train guardians of the land. Both governments can work together at the renewable resource officer-level, even supporting education of guardians and park officers alongside renewable resource officers at Aurora College in Fort Smith.

Mr. Speaker, I feel it is the right time to bring guardians into the NWT, to safeguard land and water and to support industry by providing certainty and ensuring that all sectors of resource development projects are environmentally responsible and sustainable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.