Floyd Roland

Mr. Speaker, they are, as I stated, part of the process of finalizing the agreement with the lawyers reviewing it. Signatures would need to be accepted from all the parties involved. The lending organizations, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Department of Transportation, as well as Finance, would be required to sign off a number of the schedules. I’m not sure of the exact amount, but this is the follow-through from what was laid out there. We’re following through the process that’s already in place.

Mr. Speaker, I have two documents to table. The first is entitled List of Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 for the Period April 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.

Document 27-16(2), List of Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 for the Period April 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007, tabled.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, entitled Northwest Territories NWT Liquor Commission and Liquor Licensing Board, 53rd Annual Report, 2006-2007.

Document 28-16(2), Northwest Territories NWT Liquor Commission and Liquor Licensing Board, 53rd Annual Report, 2006-2007, tabled.

Mr. Speaker, to the amended motion.

We in cabinet agree with the principle of the amended motion as well as with the principles of the UN declaration.

One of the things we should recognize is that when you look at this work, in Canada itself and, in fact, in the Northwest Territories, as Ms. Bisaro stated, we already hold in high regard our relationship with aboriginal peoples in the country and again in the Northwest Territories. Look at the makeup of this Legislative Assembly. It’s just an example of the relationship we have with the people and the land here in the Northwest Territories.

We...

Mr. Speaker, yes, I do.

Mr. Speaker, the Ministers would work through their department, if it is work on behalf of the department — and I’d have to get a specific example. But through a department, the department can initiate that activity from direction given by the Minister, so I don’t get to review all of those areas for consulting contracts.

Mr. Chairman, the motion calls for the elimination of this one project. We have to remind ourselves of the fire season. The further north you go, there may still be some snow, but in the southern parts of the Territory the environment does dry out sooner. If we start dealing with this later on in the season — in fact, we will be in full summer season, and we put crews in place the 1st of May — this area can be considered as an ounce of prevention, in a sense. If we are unable to properly see where lightning strikes are hitting in the Northwest Territories, it delays the reaction time for those...

I have to go to the Minister Responsible for ENR for detail on that project.

This budget item deals with the bridge program that has been partnered with the federal government and G.N.W.T. Department of Transportation and has been in progress for a number of years. It addresses crossings of the creeks and rivers up in the Sahtu area, so it doesn’t include the ice roads up in the Beaufort-Delta.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, as I’ve sat here and listened intently, I’m sure they wouldn’t want to be brought up to this floor with next year’s public accounts or contracts over $5,000 and be reminded of that.

It is something we are looking at, as well as departmental travel.