Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister of EIA.

Thank you. So in this activity that we're discussing, Executive Council offices, there's the Ministers' offices and there's the Premier's offices. I would say that I could use a couple more Ministers to distribute the workload. So it could even get a little more top heavy in this area. But, you know, that's a constant criticism of government, that it's top heavy. We always hear it. But I have to say that in this area here, I think it's probably a little thin. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from the Dehcho.

Thank you. That's all I have to say for that. Thank you.

Thank you. Before I continue on, Members, the Speaker has advised that he wishes to re-enter the Chamber to put committee into extended hours. I will ask the Minister to return to his seat. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses out of the chambers. Members, I will suspend Committee of the Whole.

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Thank you, colleagues. I was a bad Speaker, and I left you guys without authorization to stay extended hours. So, I know, bad me.

By the authority given to me as Speaker under Rule 2.2(4), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hours of adjournment to consider the business of the House.

And I will turn it back to the Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, back to the chair.

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Thank you. I will continue on. Members, I will now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Minister, please return to the witness table, and sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

Members, we will resume with the Executive Council offices in the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. And do any Members have any further questions? Any further questions from Members? Seeing no hands, I'll continue on.

Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Executive Council office, operations expenditure summary, 2024-2025 Main Estimates, $3,951,000. Does the committee agree?

Thank you. Moving on to the Indigenous and Intergovernmental Affairs on page 141 with information items on page 143 and 144. Are there any questions? Yes, I'm going to go to the Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is more of, again, a business plan question. On page 22 -- no, that's not true. That's not the entire -- 89 of the business plan, it speaks to EIA's federal engagement approach. I'm curious what work intergovernmental affairs has done thus far on the federal engagement approach for the 20th Assembly and what timelines we're looking at to see that here in this House? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister of EIA.

Thank you. There won't be a document; there won't be a plan to be tabled in the House. We are developing an approach to working with the federal government, but we have too many strategies, too many frameworks that we spend a lot of time developing but not enough time implementing, and so we are implementing an approach to federal engagement. And we have the mandate done, hopefully the budget will be passed soon, and hopefully I'll be heading to Ottawa right after this so that we can begin those engagements. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister speak to whether his Cabinet will be using the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework again in this Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister of EIA.

Yes, thank you. So the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, it's actually a federal document. We think it's a good document. We just need some implementation from the federal government. There are pieces here and there, but we really want to see them invest in the spirit of that document. Perhaps I can get the deputy minister to speak some more on this. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the deputy minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As the Minister mentioned, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework is a federal strategic policy document. To date, we've been waiting to see some financial contributions to bring that document to life. So it does come up on just about every -- during every meeting that territorial government officials have with their federal counterparts. So I think it's fair to say that it will continue to have life during our discussions in the coming years.

And with respect to the approach that the Premier was discussing, we really are trying to employ disciplined approach focus and activate the public service to work effectively with their federal counterparts to prepare for political conversations that can be successful. So I think that's a basic principle of what we're looking to achieve over the next three and a half years. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'm going to go back to the Member from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And, really, more a comment than a question -- well, actually, I'll put a question in there just for kicks. That's good to hear. But fundamentally I think it would give some comfort and understanding on this side of the House of how you wish to strategize generally. If there is not a document to be tabled, perhaps a briefing could be arranged with AOC. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister of EIA.

Thank you. I would be more than happy to brief the committee. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll move to Member for Great Slave.

I'm all right for now, thank you, Mr. Chair.