Bob McLeod

I and the government have regularly communicated to federal leaders the importance of fulfilling these commitments set out in the devolution agreement. As a matter of fact, with the change in government four years ago, we made the suggestion that we should get rid of the five-year requirement and start the review right away, but there was some unfinished business with regards to some of the changes that were being proposed. We have waited until those were addressed satisfactorily.

The devolution agreement commits to the development of the terms of reference of the review after April 1, 2019. I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Essentially, the elements of the MVRMA within the devolution agreement are being reviewed. The potential benefits are all related to increased local decision-making, for example, items listed in 3.17 of the devolution agreement, including approval of issuance of Type A water licences, which a Member referred to in his Minister's statement, designation of inspectors and board-appointment decisions. For example, Aboriginal governments, such as the Tlicho, can appoint their own members, and our government cannot. This is an oversight that we intend to address, as well...

We are in regular communications with Indigenous governments through the Intergovernmental Council. Obviously, they play an integral part in any of these decisions. The concerns that they had addressed when they went to court four years ago, I think that those are being addressed. I think I will be in a good position to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has been working within this regulatory system since the 1990s with both the federal government and Aboriginal governments. That was when the MVRMA first came into effect. We have continued to work within the system post-devolution. The federal review will ideally lead to further delegation of province-like authorities, and our system is ready to take on those authorities.

In all the speeches that I make, job creation is a number one priority. I think that we have been saying that for many years. Some people have said that creating jobs is the best social program going. I also say that we ask our children to stay in school and complete their education. As a government, we have to keep our end of the bargain so that, when they graduate, there are good jobs and good business opportunities for them. Recently, we have had some concerns with our NWT economy. I think that job creation has to be our top priority and that we have to keep focusing on creating jobs and...

Affordable childcare is important for families. I support responsible policy and program development that supports the Government of the Northwest Territories' mandate item of making childcare available and affordable for families.

I guess, first of all, we will have to determine: this may be the one and only ministerial appointment in the Government of the Northwest Territories. I guess that would be my first step, to determine whether that is the case or not. If there is more than one ministerial appointment, then we would determine whether there are enough ministerial appointments that would warrant to have more oversight. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The appointment the Member refers to is a ministerial appointment. The position for which the appointment was made is consistent with section 107, subsection 3, of the Workers' Compensation Act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to recognize some guests in the Chamber, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Prince. Ray is a long-term colleague from a previous government, and they are here visiting family here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think our government has done a lot in this area, especially with junior kindergarten. I think it has certainly made it a lot better for a lot of families, and other initiatives that have been undertaken by this government. We all recognize that, with daycare, more people can work and also make it easier for the family. Also, we are increasing training for licensees that provide daycare as well.