Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'll start by saying I'm really glad that Ministers, including myself, are working with standing committee. That's what the goal is.
But I agree with the Member that the Government of the Northwest Territories is the public government and must remain accountable to the public. I commend the Member's commitment to accountability. That is why in our consensus government system, MLAs have significant authority when it comes to ministerial accountability. This will not change as a result of the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Implementation. MLAs elect Ministers to represent all residents of the NWT. And I expect that all Ministers will work appropriately with MLAs and provide notice under our process conventions whenever required.
I also understand why notice for every shared decision-making negotiation is concerning to the Indigenous governments and organizations. If MLAs have concerns about the performance of a Minister, there are a number of ways these concerns can be raised, both directly with the Minister or in the Legislative Assembly. Shared decision-making will necessarily require a balancing of interests and is meant to help advance reconciliation. There may be authorizations that are straightforward and not at all controversial. There may also be others that Indigenous governments and organizations prefer not to be made immediately a public concern even before a Minister can give full and fair consideration to a proposal. That's why a blanket requirement to involve MLAs in each and every shared decision-making agreement that is proposed is not supported.
The Member is correct that there are not a lot of examples to draw experience from when it comes to shared decision-making. I look forward to seeing how such agreements may come forward in the context of the Northwest Territories. Perhaps with the benefit of experience, apprehension over the MLA's concern at the beginning of shared decision-making agreement negotiations would dissipate.
Madam Chair, Cabinet will not be supporting this motion. Thank you, Madam Chair.