Bob McLeod

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’m not sure if you’re referring to the Jane Glassco participants directly or all youth across the Territories, but as a government we certainly support youth leaders. We have a Minister responsible for Youth and we also have youth programs.

For Jane Glassco participants specifically, we get invited to some of their events. On occasion we are asked to speak and I think most of the participants from the Northwest Territories, I think they are working for the Government of the Northwest Territories either before, after or during. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Jane Glassco Fellowship Program is an initiative from the Walter Gordon Foundation. They have not asked us for any financial participation. Most of these types of charitable foundations prefer to do it on their own because they recognize that if our government became involved and contributed financially, we would obviously want input into the program. Most of the foundations would prefer to do it on their own. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Kevin Lewis, who is with CanNor here in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Member wants a response to her question, I will direct it to the correct Minister to answer the question.

The easy way to reduce the 800 positions is to delete the positions that are no longer required, so that’s one way to delete them, but in order to get accurate information, I will direct the question to the Minister responsible for Human Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to review with Members the history, intent and features of the ministerial travel reports.

The ministerial travel report summarizes each trip undertaken by a Minister with respect to his or her particular portfolios. The reports itemize the destination, purpose, dates, method of travel and the total costs of any ministerial travel over $250 charged to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

For the purposes of these reports, travel costs include the Minister’s transportation costs and associated meals and accommodations. When Regular...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ministerial travel, I did not realize there was a three-month requirement to table them, but if the Member indicates it is three months then I’m sure that’s correct. I will just find out where it’s at in the process. I don’t expect there is any reason for the delay, and I’m sure we’ll make sure it’s posted as soon as possible after the three months.

The ministerial benefits, that responsibility has been taken over by the Board of Management, so I will have to check with the board to see why that hasn’t been filed yet if there’s a requirement for it to be filed.

I think our objective has been clear from day one that we want 100 percent of the Aboriginal governments to sign on to devolution. We have also pushed the federal government to get the federal representatives appointed to the Land Use Committee and other committees because we feel that will help advance the process.

The time frame that once devolution comes into effect is one year for the federal liabilities, as they call it. They don’t want to continue to carry on federal liabilities for more than a year. So those resources that the federal government has made to other Aboriginal governments...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to report that the Senior Officials Working Group that we set up with the Dehcho First Nations that have been meeting for almost a year now have been working very well to resolve outstanding land issues between the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of the Northwest Territories. I think we’ve reached a point now where both the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of the Northwest Territories have taken what has been worked with to their respective authorities to seek approval. The Dehcho First Nations have indicated that they will be going on the...

Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome Members back to the continuation of the Fifth Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

This is our final sitting before the transfer of responsibility for public land, water and resources from the Government of Canada on April 1, 2014. The next time we meet, the Legislative Assembly and its Members will have substantial new powers to make decisions on behalf of the people who elected us.

During this sitting, Members will be asked to consider and pass the 2014-15 budget. The budget will position the Government of the Northwest Territories to smoothly take on...

I think it’s on the public record how much hospitality is provided to the Members and there is no requirement for accountability in that regard. I will take your request and I will discuss it with the Board of Management.