Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation acknowledges the effort that the GNWT has put into many of the pieces of legislation that are being tabled this sitting. Mr. Speaker, I, as well as the Inuvialuit, firmly believe that better legislation results from cooperative policy developing and drafting. While the tabled bill does not include helpful amendments since a version was circulated in December, the Forest Act process did not provide sufficient time for cooperative drafting.

Mr. Speaker, going forward, IRC urges the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide enough time and opportunity for cooperative development of the regulations. In particular, the rights holders and the Government of the Northwest Territories will have to work together to determine what can and cannot be done on private lands. This approach will ensure that the act is implemented in a way that aligns with land claims agreements across the Northwest Territories, as well as works in practice.

Mr. Speaker, having reviewed the updated and tracked bill after the first reading, I can say that my major concerns with the proposed act are fewer. At request, the bill now clearly defines land resources and self-government agreement as specifically including the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. The powers of the supervisor, including land access, are now subject to land claims agreements. The role of co-management bodies are now specifically acknowledged. Also, the burden for extinguishing forest fires has been taken off landowners, like the Inuvialuit Land Corporation, for example, Mr. Speaker, and placed on industrial operators. All of these are essential changes.

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to convey a lot of criticism after ENR has made these major changes. It shows inclusion. The issue below can be addressed through a committee process. My main concern relates to the application or non-application of the Forest Act to privately owned lands. This was raised during the January 9^th meeting of the technical working group, and this is the response that came back in their "what we heard" table: "The act, which deals with both forest protection and management, applies throughout the Northwest Territories, including federal lands, with the exceptions of lands in national parks. ENR will not issue permits or licences on private lands without the permission of the landowner."

Mr. Speaker, that is good for land claims organizations. There are many land claims groups across the Northwest Territories. "A fully developed protocol to guide any actions regarding this issue will be required before ENR gets involved in licence issuance on private lands."

I can understand the need to include all of the Northwest Territories' forests under the act, subject, of course, to the lands claims agreements, because they are connected, and fires, pests, et cetera, do not pay attention to jurisdiction. However, it would be helpful to state in the act that the supervisor cannot issue a permit for things listed in section 36, for example, timber-cutting, clearing, research, management programs, et cetera, on Inuvialuit lands.

Also, the act gives the supervisor powers beyond issuing licences that presumably would apply to private lands. One example is the authority to develop and implement ecosystem management plans, EMPs, that address forest sustainability, maintenance, and ecological integrity, the cumulative effects of forest use and other management objectives in section 12. This section does not require engagement with rights holders within the area identified by the EMP, Mr. Speaker.

We must give the bill the time that it needs to be co-drafted with Indigenous rights holders in the Northwest Territories. The Wildlife Act took 10 years to complete. Time does not make everything right, Mr. Speaker. Actions which include land claims holders and rights holders across the territory are key as we look at the Constitution Act. Section 35, Mr. Speaker, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, which are key to Indigenous people around the world and across Canada, Mr. Speaker, mainly here in the Northwest Territories, should be considered when drafting something this important or negotiating.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot say that Inuvialuit actively supports the act in its current form, but what I can say is that it is better than it was in December. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will work through the review process should the act pass its second reading as they always do. Mr. Speaker, nothing starts off as something that will make everyone happy. This is something that we will need to improve together.

Mr. Speaker, we need to see express exemptions from the permit requirements for beneficiaries, exercising their traditional rights as they relate to forest products. This is a big one for everyone because infringement carries big penalties, Mr. Speaker. We need confirmation that the supervisor cannot issue permits to Indigenous private lands. This is a big one for Inuvialuit, Mr. Speaker, and I am sure there are other Indigenous groups across the territory who would say the same. The powers of the supervisor need to be subject to the same limits the Minister is subject to. There needs to be consultation with Indigenous organizations prior to the establishment of the ecosystem monitoring plans. Once developed and approved, there needs to be adequate monitoring and implementation.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I may support this bill if I can get confirmation today from the Minister on the floor to allow co-drafting of regulations for this bill to reflect the land-claim agreements of the Northwest Territories. An improvement of this through the public review process is key. If the Minister cannot guarantee inclusion of Indigenous organizations moving forward, I may not show support for this, but, Mr. Speaker, I am a strong believer in developing something. For example, look at my handwriting. No one can read it at times, but with help through some of my colleagues, it can get better, Mr. Speaker, and readable by everybody. It depends on how we look at it, as well. I am a strong believer that we can pull through this together and make it work for the people of the Northwest Territories.

As I mentioned before, Indigenous people are key to being consulted in something like this. This is something very big and something very important to a lot of us. Earlier this morning, I was told: there are no trees in my land. What am I doing here? Mr. Speaker, Inuvialuit have reach in the Yukon and Alaska, across the world, here in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, we are very capable of drafting and co-drafting any important policies that may be of importance to any Indigenous group across the territory, mind you, across this world.

I encourage the Minister to show support to the colleagues across so that we will work together when it comes to drafting something this important. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.