Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to stand today to support this motion on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories and my fellow Cabinet Ministers. The residential school system has had long-lasting effects on the people of the Northwest Territories, their families and their communities, and on Aboriginal people across Canada. Generations of children were separated from their families at a young age. They often lost their language and their culture. They sometimes suffered abuse. Instead of growing to be strong, healthy peoples and good parents, they struggled with addictions...

We have had input from the standing committee and they have advised that they want to see the number of MLAs attending be staggered over a four-year period and we will be organizing it accordingly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to advise the Member that we have booked conference rooms or a ballroom in the Chateau Laurier and we will be holding NWT Days at the same time that the Winterlude is happening in Ottawa. We are doing business plans for 2013-2014 at which time, with the support of the Members, we’ll be asking for funding to upgrade our Ottawa office.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following documents, entitled “Respect, Recognition, Responsibility: Government of the Northwest Territories’ Approach to Engaging with Aboriginal Governments.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to make a few comments with regard to the motion. Specifically, it is my understanding that this should be a matter for the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly.

An ombudsman must be independent. It must have the independence necessary to allow him or her to investigate complaints against the government impartially. Therefore, the ombudsman must be an officer of the Legislative Assembly and not part of government. This is the case in all Canadian jurisdictions where there is an ombudsman. As the Member stated, all jurisdictions in Canada, except the...

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a document that represents a major step toward fulfilling the 17th Legislative Assembly’s priority of building a strong and sustainable future for our territory by strengthening our relationships with Aboriginal governments.

This document, titled “Respect, Recognition, Responsibility: The Government of the Northwest Territories Approach to Engaging with Aboriginal Governments,” is the foundation of our government’s engagement approach, upon which all of our actions and commitments are built. Respect, recognition and responsibility is our formal commitment...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My previous view was that I thought we had sufficient oversight. We have an audit committee that is chaired by a number of deputies and involves the Audit Bureau. We have a number of other checks and balances. I communicated that to committee; committee felt that was unacceptable. We agreed with committee and are taking steps to provide the necessary oversight to address all of those shortfalls that the Member has read out to us. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

There could be a number of different ways to do it. I think, first and foremost, we have to decide on which approach we’re going to take. If we take a delegated approach, then we have some discussion paper approach we could have. We are working on one outlining our perspective with regard to land use, so sustainability framework. Similarly, if we go with mirror legislation or through the MVRMA, I think there will be limited opportunity to change it because of the fact that it’s premised on land claim agreements. I think the best avenue would be through our Land Use Sustainability Framework...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Native Women’s Association is moving and so the money is moved from a contribution to a grant, I believe. It’s the same dollar amount; it’s just how it’s broken out. Thank you.