Joe Handley

Madam Chair, I’m pleased to present the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs’ 2004-2005 main estimates for the committee’s consideration. The ministry proposes the 2004-2005 main estimates as follows: compensation and benefits, $4.859 million; grants and contributions, $1.95 million; other expenses, $1.634 million; and amortization expenses, $20,000; for a total operational budget of $8.463 million.

This is a $48,000 or 0.6 percent net decrease from the 2003-2004 main estimates. This net decrease is due to the following factors: $128,000 in collective bargaining increases; and $176,000 in budget...

Mr. Chairman, they were contracted last year, and right now it's ongoing. I can't predict how long it will continue, possibly for a full year.

Mr. Speaker, this goes back before this government, to the 14th Assembly, but at that time there was a decision to not have any franchise changes until we had looked at all the recommendations and created more of a strategic plan for the generation and delivery of energy throughout the Territories. So there have been no franchise changes in the 14th Assembly. The government did not support what was referred to as cherry picking and take what's profitable. To this date, our government also has the same view. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chairman, I'm assuming Mr. Menicoche is referring to negotiations and not to the delivery of the programs as such. It's certainly one that I'd like to consider and look at as we prepare the next business plan. It may be possible and may be useful, Mr. Chairman, if we were to give a total of how much was spent by government on any particular set of negotiations or table. If that's where Mr. Menicoche is leading, then I would certainly be willing to take a look at it as we prepare our next year's business plans.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to say that it's probably better, in my view, to...

Mr. Chairman, travel and transportation, $141,000; materials and supplies, $111,000; purchased services, $147,000; contract services, $331,000; and, fees and payments, $4.267 million. This includes maximizing northern employment as the largest piece, interdepartmental training and development, staff retention and miscellaneous fees. Other expenses, $200,000, and this is primarily the TSC chargeback. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation has already committed to bringing this back to the next Cabinet meeting and we’ll have that discussion then. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chairman, we will find the exact place, but it would be under contract services. It's included in the $1.634 million. I gave the break out on it. I don't think there's any one item that shows up with that particular cost as an isolated item. It's in other expenses.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that, technically, that is a federal decision. It could happen that way, but I would be amazed if there was ever an effort on the part of the federal government to change the name of the Northwest Territories without consulting with the people in the territory. So I don't believe for a minute that that would happen by fall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chairman, we can do that. I'm assuming you want it broken down by table. I can do that. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, travel and transportation -- this is duty and Cabinet travel -- $316,000 and home travel, $80,000, for a total of $396,000 under travel and transportation; $72,000 for materials and supplies; $118,000 for purchased services; $50,000 for contract services; $182,000 for fees and payments, and this is ministerial housing, furniture, rent, entertainment allowances, miscellaneous fees like memberships, registration fees and so on; and other expenses, $4,000, and that's used as need to replacement of office furniture and the budget is located in my office. Thank you.