Canada’s northern premiers have sent letters to each national party leader in advance of the federal election. The letters seek each federal leaders’ views on northern issues while calling for continued collaboration between all governments.

Mr. Speaker, the 18th Legislative Assembly has made it a priority to strengthen relationships with NWT Indigenous governments.

Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to update this Assembly on negotiations toward the shared management of oil and gas resources in the NWT offshore, along with our ongoing work to undertake a 5-year science-based review of the federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas activity in arctic waters.

Thank you, I am pleased to see you all here today. I am looking forward to a good discussion about the growing importance of the Arctic at the international level and what that means for Canada as a nation and as a global actor on the geopolitical stage.