Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The road to politics looks different for every Member. My journey started as a curious archivist just down the road at the NWT Archives, an institution legally required to acquire and maintain government records of value in perpetuity. I spent close to a decade assessing, appraising, and acquiring government records and helping researchers access them.
Government records retained by the NWT Archives demonstrate key functions and decision-making of the GNWT since 1967. Working in the archives, I couldn't help but pick up on the negative patterns or wicked problems that have dogged this territory for decades. Not coincidentally, those same problems of decades past continue to surface in the current priorities of the 20th Assembly.
Understanding what government has done in years past is crucial to learn from mistakes and also to understand what priorities we need to focus on as decision-makers. Those who don't understand their past are destined to repeat it, Mr. Speaker. And so I was excited to see the Archives Act on the list of legislative proposals for this Assembly. You might also imagine my disappointment when it was knocked off for other priorities. The Minister of ECE recognized my disappointment and connected me with her staff to discuss the work that continues despite it not being brought forward as a bill in the 20th Assembly.
I understand that ongoing work will look to align the Archives Act with best archival practices and look to clarify responsibilities with the GNWT-wide records management context. ECE staff confirmed for me that there is extensive scoping work going on in the archives as well as with finance staff who are responsible for records management of the GNWT.
Records management has a policy framework but no legal requirements the way that the archives does. That said, records management is the mechanism that brings government records to the archives in a collaborative process of records scheduling. Because I know this topic doesn't thrill people the way it thrills me, Mr. Speaker, I want to explain why this is important.
Ensuring that the GNWT has a robust records management regime, clear delineations of responsibility, means that the government can meet legal requirements under the Archives Act but also potentially increase expeditious access to active government records under the ATIPP Act. A robust and clearly defined records regime for government can only benefit citizens through transparency, Mr. Speaker. For clarity around this ongoing work, I will have questions for the Minister of ECE and if time permits, the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.