The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Madam Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. If you're so happy, that means that that's your one ask for all of the MLAs? Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Madam Premier. Any further questions? Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think that we have heard a couple of times, and we have even heard in the last government, that the Akaitcho agreement-in-principle was close. Do we have an expected date of when we think that will occur? Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Madam Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I need to clarify that it's kind of at a draft. The Akaitcho needs to go to their membership. There is a process that happens within that, and out of respect, Madam Chair, I can't give a timeline. They need to go back to their membership. They need to talk about what the offer is on the table, and then they need to come back. I want it done. I want it signed. I do believe that self-government is the right answer. I've said it many, many times that, if we support self-governments, it helps us. The more money that they have, the more jobs they can get for their own membership, the fewer people who are struggling, especially in small communities, would be in our housing programs and our income supports. So my goal is to sign it within this Assembly, but my respect is that I will not push any Indigenous government to hurry it based on my timeline. I need to respect the process that they are in right now. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just based on past experience in settling land claims, do we have an estimate of what we think it would take once we get the AIP to actually have a final modern treaty? I recognize there are multiple variables, there, but are we talking months or years? Is there an estimate of how long it takes to get from an AIP to a settled claim for Akaitcho? Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, that's impossible to do, to say that. I have given direction to my department. When the Indigenous governments are at the table and ready to negotiate, ready to talk, we're there. Put everything aside and make it your priority. When the Indigenous governments say, "Back off," we back off. So, out of respect, Madam Chair, I can't give a timeline. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. In our mandate, we commit to working with a number of independent facilitators to resolve outstanding issues. Can I just get a sense of how many tables have independent facilitators? Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. If you can pass that on to Deputy Minister Martin Goldney.