Bob McLeod

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As I’ve indicated before, the Dehcho First Nation, the grand chief and I have had some discussions in the past about how we could try to find a way forward. We agreed on a terms of reference for a small group of senior officials to get together and without prejudice, and to look at how we could find a way forward on some very difficult and complex land issues. I think that it appears, from all accounts, the outcome appears to have found a way. It’s now going through a process with the Dehcho First Nations. I understand the grand chief has gone on the road to all his...

Finally, a question that I can answer. All GNWT employees sign a code of ethics when they enter into employment with this government, and as part of that code of ethics they have to adhere to certain principles and criteria, and I’m sure the honourable Member would be the first to cry out loud and clear if an employee of the Government of the Northwest Territories would come out and directly criticize it.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member is correct; it is a land negotiator position. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, that depends on the question. Thank you.

The portion of the Peel that’s in the Northwest Territories is approximately 11 percent.

In September of 2010, at the request of the Gwich’in Tribal Council leadership, I wrote to the Premier of the Yukon indicating that we supported the call of the Gwich’in. I believe there are a number of options. Obviously we want to re-negotiate the Peel River Watershed and the Yukon/Northwest Territories Transboundary Water Agreement to modernize that agreement. There is a court case that has been filed and, as a government, we will be looking at that to see what kind of a role we should play in that court...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This government was very futuristic when we negotiated a transboundary water agreement with Yukon approximately 15 years ago. We have been making overtures to the Yukon government to modernize it and we are continuing to do so because we recognize the Peel River Watershed is a very important body of water not only for the Yukon but also for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

This government is always interested in improving all of our programs and services, so we’d be very pleased to undertake a review. But just to make sure that everybody understands some of the work that they have done: the results of the K to 12 school programs and pupil-teacher ratio and inclusive schooling; the general office space evaluation; the health programs and services evaluation; the adult and education training programs evaluation; rationalizing phones, faxes and printers; harvesters’ support program review; single-window service centres and I should also indicate that we are...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’m very pleased that the Member has raised the matter of the program review office. They have been very busy working on the priorities that were developed and the projects that were developed in conjunction with committee. Also, I’m very pleased that their recommendations have and will result in this government saving hundreds of millions of dollars. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

When we review the court case, we will look at our options and decide if we will take any action, if any. Obviously with devolution, we are looking at where the best locations for monitoring sites would be and I would expect we would look very closely at putting in monitoring sites in that area. Thank you, Madam Speaker.