Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we recognize that and we have been reviewing our program and we want to make sure that this amount of money is focused on what we call the real NGOs. I think we’ve made improvements in that area in the last few years. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. There’s going to be a substantial amount of work that will have to be done. We’ve already been at implementation for over a year and also what we do will have to dovetail with the federal government, and the Government of Canada has assured us on several occasions that a transfer date of April 1, 2014, will be achieved once we get a deal. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Gwich’in Land Use Plan has been finalized and been in place for some time now. The Sahtu has not been finalized but it is very close. I think there are only a couple of issues to be sorted out. The Dehcho Land Use Plan, we are going to take a renewed effort to have that finalized and work with the Dehcho First Nation on that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve been involved in negotiating devolution in the Northwest Territories for over 40 years. As a matter of fact, every department and program that is now with the Government of the Northwest Territories has been devolved from the Government of Canada. There have been at least 10 programs that have been devolved, that I’m aware of, and I’m pleased to report to the Member that, with this agreement, there will be an unprecedented level of public engagement and consultation.

If committee makes a recommendation for us to look at it, we’ll look at it. The information that comes out of the public review sometimes is very sensitive information. In the past, committee and government haven’t seen that as the way to go, but if committee wants to look at doing this, certainly we would look at it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We will be presenting with the same information, except with the Aboriginal governments we’ll have the Aboriginal governments participating as well. Thank you.

I don’t think that’s totally pervasive across the different regions that have not settled land claims or self-government. I know in the Sahtu is the approach that was negotiated through their land claim. I know that the Dehcho, not every community is in that situation. The Acho Dene Koe went on their own, but that was agreed to with the Dehcho First Nations. They K’atlodeeche First Nation decided to stick with their reserve and have a different process. Wrigley moved out, but I don’t think they’ve formally severed their ties yet but…the Akaitcho… The Salt River First Nation already settled...

I found Minister Valcourt to be very well briefed on all of the files and he was very knowledgeable about Dehcho First Nations. We discussed some issues that the grand chief had raised and the Minister indicated that his staff would be getting on the file right away.

It’s a three-year board plan, so I guess it’s a multi-year plan. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Engagement is where we will be going to the communities, and describing and advising the public about the Devolution Agreement. Consultation is the legal requirement that is associated with Aboriginal governments that have land claims and treaty rights. Thank you.