Bob McLeod

Thank you. As a function of devolution, we will be required to have a sign-off on the Intergovernmental Council probably within this month. I think all of the Aboriginal governments that have signed on have agreed to sign off on the Intergovernmental Council and that will be put into legislation. As part of that aspect there will be a process for other Aboriginal governments that can sign on after this first instance. Thank you.

At the outset, the grand chief and myself signed an agreed upon terms of reference for the Senior Officials Working Group. We provide oversight and we meet on a regular basis, whether it’s by a telephone call or by a meeting for lunch or a meeting, and we’ve been able to ensure we keep making progress. When we hit bumps in the road, we get together and we work things out so that we can keep working in the right direction. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize all of the deputy ministers of the Government of the Northwest Territories that are here today. These are the people who help make all of our directions come into effect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bill 2, Archeological Sites Act, be read for the second time.

This bill sets out the provisions of the Northwest Territories Act (Canada) respecting archaeological sites and artifacts, including the regulation-making authority that will enable the Government of the Northwest Territories to substantially mirror the Archeological Sites Regulations made under that act, as required by the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, entitled Achieving Our Priorities: Believing in People and Building on the Strengths of Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jackson Lafferty will be absent from the House today to attend the Labour Ministers federal-provincial-territorial meeting in Toronto. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 3, Surface Rights Board Act, be read for the second time.

This bill mirrors the Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board Act (Canada) in accordance with the requirements of the Northwest Territories Land and Resources Devolution Agreement.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 1, Reindeer Act, be read for the second time.

This bill sets out the provisions of the Northwest Territories Act (Canada) respecting reindeer, including the regulation-making authority that will enable the Government of the Northwest Territories to substantially mirror the Northwest Territories Reindeer Regulations made under that act, as required by the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize all the Pages that work in this session and specifically two Pages from Yellowknife South, Kaitlyn Hayward and Matt Walker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 2, Archaeological Sites Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.