Thanks for that introduction, Marc.

And thank you everyone for being here. Qujannamiik.

This afternoon, I was with Natan Obed, President of the national Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami organization. Together, we co-chaired a productive meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee.

At the meeting, all members of the committee endorsed the new Inuit Nunangat Policy. This policy recognizes the Inuit homeland—Inuit Nunangat—as a distinct geographical, cultural, and political region.

Today, the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee approved the new Inuit Nunangat Policy. Inuit Nunangat extends from Yukon and the Northwest Territories in the west all the way to Labrador in the east, and includes the land, the water, and the ice. This agreement is the first of its kind.

This historic policy will make sure Inuit priorities are incorporated into federal initiatives that impact Inuit and Inuit Nunangat. For example, when the federal government is looking to make investments in marine infrastructure in the Arctic, or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is working to set regional boundaries, we will work with Inuit partners across Inuit Nunangat.

This policy is about supporting Inuit-led solutions to distinctly Inuit challenges, promoting prosperity and equity, and recognizing Inuit self-determination. As we work to combat issues across Inuit Nunangat, such as food security or connectivity, the INP will be a blueprint for working in partnership with the Inuit.

To support implementation of this transformative whole-of-government policy, the federal government has committed $25 million over five years. This is long overdue, but today marks an important step in our journey towards reconciliation.

I want to give a special thank you to Natan and to the collected Inuit leadership for your extraordinary dedication in making this policy a reality. All of government will have a role to play in bringing this policy to life and ensuring its meaningful implementation. By doing so, it’ll benefit all those in the Inuit homeland and make all of Canada stronger.

Our government will continue working closely with our Inuit partners to implement this policy and to advance our shared priorities, including fighting climate change, protecting the Arctic, and investing in housing.