Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think it is important to differentiate between -- the intergovernmental unit is more to work together in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. The MOU that we signed is a government-to- government relationship. With regards to the K'atlodeeche, as the Member referred to, it gives us a forum to discuss the most important issues between the two governments. It allows us to have some very detailed and frank discussions about some of the priority areas that are longstanding and continue to be irritants. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to pursue an agreement with the federal government on the management of offshore resources.

As Members are aware, in late 2016, the Government of Canada took a significant potential economic development opportunity off the table when they declared a moratorium on offshore oil and gas development in the Beaufort. While I understand the reasons for his decision, the Prime Minister's announcement of a moratorium in the Arctic Canadian waters was disappointing. Equally disappointing was the lack of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The long-term intention is that we are still optimistic of having all of the Aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories sign on to the devolution agreement and become part of the intergovernmental affairs unit. With the unit, that will allow us to all deal with the lands under each of their different government's responsibilities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can reassure the Member that we believe that our services will be enhanced and the advice will improve to allow us to go forward and fulfil our priorities for this department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe I responded to that question that the procedures are in place. If the committee wants us to change it, we would be pleased to do it if the committee make a recommendation to do that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to clarify that they were not cut. They were transferred to shared services, and all four positions were staffed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There was some previous direction with regard to rate rebalancing, which adds significant negative impacts on rate payers in some of the communities, so it was felt that it was in the best interest of all to lighten the impact. Certainly, if committee feels we should look at getting rid of the PUB, if we get that recommendation from committee, we will look at it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is a federal government legal opinion, and they do not normally share their legal opinions with us, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is no plan to change the Public Utilities Board. What the Member is referring to is what the Public Utilities Board is doing its job. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The federal government had done their own strength of claim previously with the North Slave Metis Alliance, and the courts, the direction they gave us was to do a strength of claim with regards to hunting, Aboriginal hunting. We have done so on that basis. Thank you, Mr. Chair.