Louis Sebert

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Letter from President and CEO, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association to Assistant Deputy Minister, Justice regarding Genetics and Insurance, dated March 5, 2019"; and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 619-18(3): National Energy Board Regulatory Authority in the Northwest Territories." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 45, Corrections Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is a complex and involved area that has been alluded to by the Member. On the issue of securities, if I might address that, we believe that we have addressed most of the issues identified in the 2012 Auditor General's report on federal mining securities management and programs that transferred to the GNWT with devolution. We are currently completing work on the report's priority recommendation, a securities tracking system to support regular reviews of securities amounts and closure plans for major projects. I see that we are currently holding $644.8 million of land...

I think, Mr. Chair, that we obviously, along with the Member, regard the land use planning as critical and therefore are willing to commit resources to the establishment of a planning office and senior representative. As we have mentioned, the planning process, I think part of it, and I will let Mr. Hagen expand on my answer, is that we feel that it is necessary for someone to go ahead and that that is why we have decided to step up to the plate, but perhaps Mr. Hagen can expand on that answer. Thank you.

I know that this question has come up before. It was thought appropriate a few years ago, I forget the exact date, maybe 2016, somewhere around there, that OROGO should be parked in justice. I don't think we have re-evaluated that placement, and I don't think we are intending to do that in the near future. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am told that the reason for this is that this is a person who is dedicated to this specific area of work, and, for that reason, that is why we need this position. Thank you.

Yes, that is within this activity. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2019-2020 Main Estimates for the Department of Lands. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $1,847,000, or 9 percent over the 2018-2019 Main Estimates.

These estimates continue to support the objectives of limiting expenditure growth in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fiscal framework. These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly through the management and administration of sustainable use of public land in the Northwest Territories.

Highlights of the proposed...

Yes. I think that I agree with the comment that we can do better. Yes, we're going to be looking at these policies, the review of the GNWT's project assessment function, to look at areas for potential improvements, and I'm sure we can share that as we proceed. We want to hear from committee with their input because, in the end, I think we have the same object. We want to make the system better. Thank you.

As I say, we are always interested in what is going on in other jurisdictions to see if we can improve our methods. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, the probation reports here are prepared by probation officers, many of whom are Aboriginal themselves. I don't know whether it's most; it could well be. Again, we are always looking at ways of improving, and we will be looking at the Yukon pilot project. Thank you.