Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our intention is for the act to come into force at the earliest opportunity. Implementing this act, needless to say, is a high priority for the government of the Northwest Territories and the people who are affected by it. The Department of ENR is actively working with Indigenous governments and organizations, and have advanced three candidate areas under the act: the Dinaga Wek'ehodi Wek'eezhii, Thaidene Nene, and Tu'eyeta west of Fort Good Hope in the Sahtu region. Bringing the act in force is a critical step towards establishing these candidate areas.
Section 101 of Bill 38 states that the act or any provision of the act comes into force on the day to be fixed by order of the Commissioner, and it is our intent to bring the act into force at the earliest opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.