Kevin O'Reilly

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I guess the point here, though, is that these positions were in DAAIR and now they are going to be cut, so there is some loss of corporate knowledge and institutional history and so on. Were all those positions staffed, or were they vacant? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Monsieur le President. I wish to table the following document. It’s a letter from the chair of the Giant Mine Oversight Board to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada regarding Giant Mine Oversight Board Funding Roll Over Provision. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that. Of course, I think we all wish it was a lot more. I know it's in our mandate to revise the heritage fund legislation. Can the Minister tell us where the update or the revisions to the legislation are actually at? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So can I just get a little bit of detail, then, on what sort of functions, what kind of jobs, did those people do? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and thanks again to the Minister for that response, but I can assure him I was in the room in my previous life when the changes were being proposed. We couldn't even get the federal government into the room, and it was actually being led by the territorial government, these changes last time around.

I'm pleased to hear the Minister say in this House that he recognizes that there's an ongoing role for the federal government in these agreements. So can the Minister commit to engaging the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment regarding changes to the...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, I think there would probably be  I think I have raised this before  greater strength in numbers, working with our colleagues in Yukon and Nunavut on this, as well. I am sure they share the same kind of concern, and I am sure we can work collectively, with them, to try to move that forward with the federal government. I see the Minister shaking his head, so I am not going to ask a question about it.

I did want to move on to the heritage fund on the next page. It's 142. I am glad to see that we continue to put some of our revenues in there. I just wonder whether there...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is all I have for now. Just wanted to get it on the record that the fiscal reduction targets are driving funding that we have been allocating for negotiations. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to the Minister for that response, because it leads perfect into my next question. There are still residual federal responsibilities in the Northwest Territories for fish, toxic substances, migratory wildlife, transboundary issues, and then the value, of course, that the federal government can bring to the table in terms of experience and funding. Does the Minister recognize these roles of the federal government, and will they be adequately reflected to any amendments to the diamond mine environmental agreements?

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I do appreciate the Minister and thank him for that commitment and look forward to getting the briefing. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the answer. These funds weren't actually reallocated within the department anyway; these were reductions that were part of the fiscal strategy? Thank you.