Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week I spoke about advancements in the development of a new Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and the role that the GNWT and northern Indigenous governments will need to play in making this framework a reality.

Arctic people want to have a seat at the table. We want to see capacity-building and the application of traditional knowledge. We want to see our government, the GNWT, guiding the federal government in the right direction, Mr. Speaker.

It is well known that other circumpolar countries, like Russia, Finland, and other Scandinavian countries, and other major global powers, like the United States and China, are making rapid advancements in their Arctic policy.

Mr. Speaker, Finland is testing a 5G network, Russia is advancing its military interests, and China is exploring how it can get involved in Arctic governance and development as a near-Arctic state.

I recently read an editorial in the Hamilton Spectator that quoted governance policy specialist Mr. John Higginbotham, who said, "We are falling further and further behind the European Arctic, Russian Arctic, and the East Asian Arctic in terms of all kinds of measures of development and capacity. We have very primitive airports up there, very poor east-west links, limited icebreaker capacity, limited deepwater ports. There's just really nothing happening up there now."

Mr. Speaker, this is a painful truth, but I couldn't have said it any better myself.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the federal government will make major decisions for the Canadian Arctic on the global stage, but I also know that, without the benefit of Northerners' expertise and Indigenous local knowledge, without a united voice advocating loudly and proudly for our Arctic interest, the Arctic will become developed and designed without us. In fact, I worry that we will be left behind altogether.

Mr. Speaker, we have many mutual benefits to maintaining a close relationship with Canada and other Arctic states. Sovereignty is a priority for Canada, and we need to be engaged in the discussions to ensure that our people can participate in future discussions to ensure that the Arctic remains a peaceful and stable region.

Mr. Speaker, sustainable development through cooperation of all levels of government will benefit our people and enhance the quality of life of all residents of the Arctic. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.