This MOU will formalize our government-to-government relationship and provide an opportunity for the Government of the Northwest Territories and Deline Got'ine Government leadership to meet and discuss issues of mutual concern and interests. We have found that this is an excellent forum to do so. There is, however, ongoing work with Deline Got'ine that is occurring.

A date will be set for a first meeting as soon as the leaders have reviewed and approved the draft agreement. I am very optimistic that we can have that first meeting during the life of this government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories and Deline Got'ine Government officials have been working closely and are currently finalizing a draft MOU. Officials will be meeting this month to conclude that draft agreement with the Deline Got'ine Government, and we will forward it to the leaders for review. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize three Pages from Yellowknife South, Tyson Lafond, Janica-Lei Silverio, and Ryley Steinwand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has held engagements for the development of the Northwest Territories-specific chapter in January of 2018 and has been working with Northwest Territories Indigenous governments through the intergovernmental council. In February of 2019 we shared a draft Northwest Territories chapter with Indigenous governments and the territory. At the same time, we are working on a pan-territorial [chapeau] with the governments of Yukon and Nunavut and will share that document with standing committee once a consensus between the territorial governments is reached. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I don't believe there is imbalance, but, as I said, we will see what Indigenous governments and stakeholders have to say. Committee has provided positive feedback in this regard, and this is currently being considered, and we will take feedback and develop another draft and share that draft with Indigenous governments, standing committee, and stakeholders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have received comments from the standing committee, both during a briefing on February 28^th or 26^th and in written correspondence from the committee. I have also received input from stakeholders since the briefing. Further comments are expected this week from Indigenous governments and also francophone organizations, which receive the translated document later than other stakeholders, primarily due to translation. The comments will be incorporated into the document over the next week and shared with Indigenous governments, standing committee, and stakeholders.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for giving me advance notice of his line of questioning. In this case, the federal government has not provided any updates on the validation document or the timelines for the release of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework as a whole. We have asked for clarification, but have heard only that the final document will likely be ready in May of 2019.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Glen Abernethy will be absent from the House today and tomorrow due to a personal matter.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.