Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I said, if the committee wants us to change the operation of the Public Utilities Board, we would be prepared to look at it if the committee recommends it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. They provided general support. They are still available to provide that support as part of the shared services. The more detailed policy, we kept an analyst position in the department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We are just following the procedures as laid out in the mandate of the Public Utilities Board, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The issue that was in the courts was with regards to trapping. The Member is referring to whether the North Slave Metis Alliance have a land claims table. That is the focus or the responsibility of the Government of Canada, and the Government of Canada determines whether there are grounds or enough information to determine whether they would have a separate land claims table or not. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

There is a separate division, called priorities and planning, which is later on in the document, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The North Slave Metis Alliance went to court against the Government of the Northwest Territories for a number of reasons, but the court ruled that the North Slave Metis Alliance had Aboriginal right to hunt and fish, and they indicated that there should be a strength of claim assessment done by the government. The previous federal government had done a strength of claim.

There was no land claims table for the North Slave Metis Alliance. We have completed a preliminary strength of claim assessment for the North Slave Metis Alliance. We will be sharing it with the North...

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, Mr. Speaker. It would be helpful if the Member would provide who these organizers are and how much money they are looking for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.