Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to note that, you know, I am and stated during the public briefing that we just had with the city on this matter -- you know, I am very supportive of the city in their application for land. I think that, you know, it's been pointed out, and I want to share a bit of a nuance that I shared with the board of management when this issue first came up and that is just that, you know, as a former city councillor, of course, this is an issue that is quite close to my heart as I advocated very strongly on the city side for land to be handed over, and I want to note that, again, I also seconded and voted in favour of a motion speaking to the general -- speeding up the general process of land. I've spoken to the Minister about it. I've made statements about it. I have brought it up during Committee of the Whole. But a detail that hasn't been brought to the floor that I just want to note is that the perspective I shared with BOM at the time was, in my opinion, the concerns that are being expressed at the capital area committee to the city about what could or could not or should or should not be done with this land is between the city and the capital area committee. It needs to be resolved at the municipal level. I think the municipal government has the ability to govern the lands within their boundary and should be given the ability to do that. And so my hope was that those concerns not get in the way of a land application process, and I continue to hold that position, Mr. Speaker, and certainly encourage my colleagues at BOM to bring this to a quick resolution as much as they can.
As the Member for Yellowknife North noted, you know, in an area where we have the tools and we have the ability and we have certainly the jurisdiction to move aspects of this application forward where we can, let's use those tools and let's do it expediently. And I continue to urge BOM to do that.
Mr. Speaker, I think what gives me a bit of pause here and where I want to be very careful in how I conduct myself as a Member is just, you know, the point made by the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, the point that I deeply respect, and want to note that I want to be very careful not to be seen to or inadvertently step on negotiations between rights holders, landholders, and claimants on the land, and I think we need to tread carefully on that matter. And it is up to, you know, the government to complete those negotiations as need be, and it's up to the city to ensure that the rights are upheld. And I know that the city built a very strong working relationship with neighbouring Indigenous governments during my terms on council, and I was very proud of that and continue to be proud of that. And in respect to that position taken by the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, I think it is best if I also abstain from the motion in this case and just want to note that, you know, I want to express while doing that strong support for the city's application and strong support and continued encouragement to resolve the issues where there's issues standing in the way of this moving forward, let's certainly get out of the way and move this issue forward decisively for all the various reasons that have been discussed, I think quite publicly and extensively on the public record at the city, in this House, in committee, and otherwise. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.