Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the first that I have been aware of a shift in security requirements at the facility. Can I get some clarification on that? Are we elevating the security requirements at the facility as a result of changes to the Corrections Act, changes to policies? What exactly is the source of the shift? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I raised some concerns I have heard from the North Slave Metis Alliance. Just to summarize, Mr. Speaker, the courts have found in favour of the NSMA many times, and it is clear that the issue of their constitutional rights needs to be settled clearly once and for all with a strength-of-claim assessment from this government and from the federal government. So I would like to ask the Premier in his capacity as Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs if a strength-of-claim assessment could be brought forward for the North Slave Metis Alliance...

The North Slave Metis Alliance represents Indigenous rights-bearing Metis people of the Northwest Territories who primarily exercise their Indigenous rights north and east of Great Slave Lake. The NSMA's mandate includes the assertion, protection, and implementation of the Aboriginal rights of the North Slave Metis people, and the exercise of Metis responsibility to protect the environment and promote and enhance economic, social, and cultural development. Mr. Speaker, the NSMA is located in my riding of Kam Lake, and today I rise to address the ongoing concerns they have been brought to my...

Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommend that the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs make a submission to the Financial Management Board requesting that the Financial Management Board establish a limit on any cumulative deficit or surplus in the Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Fund and, furthermore, that this limit be made public, shared with the Standing Committee on Government Operations, and reported upon annually by the department in its year-end reporting on the fund. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With your indulgence, I will also speak to Bill 1, as it is the subject of this report. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to report on its review of Bill 1: the Western Canada Lottery Act.

Bill 1, sponsored by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, repeals the existing Western Canada Lottery Act, and replaces it with a new act to establish a Northwest Territories Lottery Commission under the direction of the Minister, with the authority to enter into agreements with the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and that is good news. What is the government's position on the statement of claim that the North Slave Metis have filed with the federal government? Thank you.

I think that is a sound policy position for this government to take on this issue of reconciliation, but, you know, it is fairly self-evident from the court cases that have gone on from the position of the North Slave Metis Alliance that they are very distinct from the NWT Metis Nation. They are two different entities and should be given equal treatment from both this government and federal government in the Metis agreement-in-principle. So is the Premier willing to open up those discussions and allow the North Slave Metis Alliance to pursue their own approach rather than being forced into the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Bill Enge, president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Mr. Mark Whitford, vice-president of the North Slave Metis Alliance, Mr. Alan Harman, secretary-treasurer of the North Slave Metis Alliance, and Mr. Arnold Enge, director with the North Slave Metis Alliance. Thank you very much for being here today.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no other opening comments besides the comments I made in the review committee's report that just occurred. I believe that we are ready to proceed with review of the bill. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs develop a funding policy which provides clear guidance as to the funding eligibility requirements, to guide the disbursement of lottery funding under the new Western Canada Lottery Act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.