Thank you, Mr. Chair. We certainly work closely with the NWT Metis Nation. In addition to being one of the tripartite negotiators, we have committed to support the NWT Metis Nation in their efforts to get increased funding, not only for their land claim, but also their cost of negotiations.
I wouldn't say that we have given them advice, but we have talked to them about the size of negotiating teams. Obviously, the NWT Metis Nation will make their own decisions on what is most effective for them in their negotiations. We recognize that the federal government has made different promises, and one of the things that they are tightening up on is the cost of negotiations, even though they have made statements in the public that they are covering the costs of negotiations, and in some cases, they will reimburse them. I guess that is a long answer to your question. We are supportive, but, at the end of the day, it is a decision made by the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, could the Premier tell us if there is any such issue with the negotiations that involve the Akaitcho? Thank you.
Thank you. Premier.
Not that we are aware of, Mr. Chair. My understanding is that money is a constant issue in negotiations, and everybody could always use more money, I am sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Minister, in his opening remarks, talked about how there was a $250,000 increase for finalizing and implementing lands, resources, and self-government agreements. Is that the line item that is found on page 124? There seems to be a $250,000 increase just for implementation. Is that what the Minister's opening remarks refer to? Thanks.
Thank you. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The $250,000 that was in my opening remarks, I was referring to contracted facilitators. One of the actions that I took in partnership with the federal Minister of CIRNA, where we hired two ministerial special representatives, one of the recommendations was that the government should take much more of a leadership role in facilitating discussions on self-government implementation. That is what this money is for, so that we can try to help facilitate these discussions to advance the finalization of self-government agreements. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is helpful in understanding what the $250,000 is for. Can someone tell me where it is found on page 124? There are obviously some changes from the 2018-2019 revised estimates to what is prepared for 2019-2020. Can someone tell me where the $250,000 is found in those items? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. Aumond.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. That increase can be found under contract services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is very helpful. That is the expenditure category. Where is it found in the program detail? It looks like there is a large-ish increase in implementation. Is that the function in which this increase is found? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. Aumond.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is correct.
Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am just wondering: what is the prospect of us actually reaching any final agreements with any of the outstanding negotiations between now and the end of the 18th Assembly? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. On the larger ones, my assessment is that, probably, the one that we are making the most progress on is the Akaitcho. The NWT Metis Nation have put their negotiations on hold for the next couple of months until the new fiscal year. The Dehcho have determined that, instead of focusing on the land and resource development side, they are going to focus on self-government. Acho Dene Koe have a new negotiating team and advisors, and they are revisiting their negotiated-since mandates.
I think that we still can expect a lot of success in self-government agreements. Up and down the valley, the Sahtu community self-government negotiations are going well. The Gwich'in are back to the table with Nihtat Gwich'in and the GTC of Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, and Aklavik, and I think that we will continue to make progress in those areas. To the south, the Dehcho First Nations are looking at treaty land, I believe. So that's sort of a cross section of where we're at with all these different tables. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. So just to be clear, between the beginning of this Assembly and right now, the only agreements, agreements-in-principle, that have actually been reached are for the Norman Wells self-government. Is that correct? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Premier.
No. We settled a Deline final agreement, as well.
Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, and thanks for that reminder. I had forgotten about Deline. I guess I'll just express some concern. I'm not sure how much progress we're going to get between now and the end of the 18th Assembly. I think the mandate commitment was that we were going to complete all the negotiations, so I'm not sure we're going to be in a position to do that, and I'm concerned about it. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Indigenous and intergovernmental affairs, operations expenditure summary, $8,175,000. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. There are a few information items beginning at pages 127 to 129. Does committee have questions? If not, we can return to the total department, found on page 107. Comments or questions? Seeing none, Executive and Indigenous Affairs, total department, $22,103,000. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Does committee agree this concludes our consideration of the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Thank you to the witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witnesses from the Chamber. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Chair rise and report progress. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
I will rise and report progress. Thank you, committee.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 322-18(3), Main Estimates 2019-2020, and would like to report progress, and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Masi. Do we have a seconder? Member for Yellowknife North. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
[Translation] Orders of the day for Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.:
Prayer
Ministers' Statements
Members' Statements
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgments
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to the Commissioner's Opening Address
Petitions
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
-
Bill 31, Northwest Territories 911 Act
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Committee Report 12-18(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2018 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Northwest Territories Child and Family Services
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Committee Report 13-18(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 31: Northwest Territories 911 Act
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Minister's Statement 131-18(3), Sessional Statement
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Minister's Statement 151-18(3), New Federal Infrastructure Agreement
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Minister's Statement 158-18(3), Developments in Early Childhood Programs and Services
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Tabled Document 322-18(3), Main Estimates, 2019-2020
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
[Translation ends.]
Good job. Masi. This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 4:17 p.m.
