Thank you, Madam Speaker. Land is the foundation of the Northwest Territories, both figuratively and literally. Our government is responsible for managing 1.15 million square kilometres of it. Setting and enforcing clear rules and regulations for how public land is used is a critical part of ensuring that the Northwest Territories' land and resources are well-managed. Clear, well-communicated rules help the Government of the Northwest Territories make sure that everybody understands what can and cannot be done on public land. They also give the government a fair and consistent basis for taking action against anybody who breaks them.
The Department of Lands uses a number of pieces of territorial and federal legislation to help clearly and fairly set and enforce rules on land use. These pieces are further underpinned by the Ministerial Policy on Compliance and Enforcement. The primary goal of compliance and enforcement under this policy is to deter, minimize, and remedy non-compliance. The Ministerial Policy on Compliance and Enforcement also establishes that enforcement action should be timely and proportionate to the severity of the non-compliance and consider the actual or potential impact on the land and natural resources. Actions to manage use of territorial public land and resources under this policy include informing and educating the public about the rules and requirements and providing support and advice on how to comply with the rules.
The policy provides a fair and consistent approach to monitoring compliance. It is focused on education and building awareness. In short, helping to prevent non-compliance wherever possible and resolving any non-compliance before it impacts the land or natural resources. Where non-compliance cannot be resolved, the policy sets out a consistent approach that seeks remedies to fix any harm caused by non-compliance or to imposes sanctions, including laying charges under relevant legislation. Consistent with this approach, the department regards unauthorized occupancy as one of the more severe instances of non-compliance. Members of the public can report potential incidents of unauthorized occupancy by calling their local lands regional office. Contact information is available on the department's website.
The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes that land and resources are of significant importance to Indigenous governments and organizations. Since 2018, the Department of Lands has supported interested regional Indigenous governments and organizations to identify and document cabins that support traditional uses of the land. As part of our ongoing enforcement efforts, the department will continue to post notices on untenured structures. This first notice is an opportunity for the occupant to come forward and identify or clarify any legal basis for their occupation. As the department moves this work forward, we are also working with Indigenous governments and organizations to ensure there is a clear process for when a cabin that is associated with an Aboriginal rights assertion is posted.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to the responsible management and use of NWT land, resources, and environment. To this end, the department will be bringing the Public Land Act into force that applies to all public land in the Northwest Territories and brings clarity to all land users. Madam Speaker, we are all stewards of the land. We all know our responsibilities. We want to ensure the people of the Northwest Territories know that the Department of Lands is continuing to take action by supporting a clear, consistent, and enforced land management regime. Thank you, Madam Speaker.