Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories has advocated for the inclusion of Northwest Territories Indigenous governments, including the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and work around the Arctic Policy Framework.

At the Intergovernmental Council meeting in December of 2017, I agreed that the Government of the Northwest Territories would work collaboratively with Indigenous governments to develop a northern approach to the framework, including the Northwest Territories chapter.

Government of Northwest Territories officials held a roundtable discussion with Indigenous governments in January 2018 to get initial thoughts on the Arctic Policy Framework and what should go into a Northwest Territories chapter. We have also received written submissions and continue to meet with Indigenous governments.

When it comes to Arctic marine shipping and other Arctic policies, we are not involved significantly as a subnational government. The federal government guards their responsibilities very seriously, and we have minimal input into Arctic marine policy framework.

I should add that Arctic Indigenous peoples have more representation in international venues, such as the Arctic Council where they are permanent participants, than our own government does. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.