Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This department just provides administrative services for the Public Utilities Board. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is none indicated in here, but as we go forward, as we settle land claims, my expectation is we would reallocate the GSOs perhaps, but that would be for future governments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left, I have Mike Aumond, secretary of the Cabinet and deputy minister of the Executive. To my right, Shaleen Woodward, deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, and Terence Courtoreille, director of Corporate Affairs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Just to be very specific, Mr. Chair, the decrease is $117,000. There was $67,000 for elimination of a chief negotiator position and $50,000 for reduction of implementation negotiator funding. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2017-2018 Main Estimates for the proposed new Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. This new department, which will come into effect on April 1, 2017 represents the amalgamation of the Executive and Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, two departments which have much in common, face similar challenges, and are significantly interdependent. The April 1st merger was designed to strengthen communications and coordination among functions and, most importantly, to better serve a shared client base.

These estimates continue to...

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.