Bob McLeod

Thank you. Just to be very specific, Mr. Chair, the decrease is $117,000. There was $67,000 for elimination of a chief negotiator position and $50,000 for reduction of implementation negotiator funding. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2017-2018 Main Estimates for the proposed new Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. This new department, which will come into effect on April 1, 2017 represents the amalgamation of the Executive and Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, two departments which have much in common, face similar challenges, and are significantly interdependent. The April 1st merger was designed to strengthen communications and coordination among functions and, most importantly, to better serve a shared client base.

These estimates continue to...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think it is important to differentiate between -- the intergovernmental unit is more to work together in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. The MOU that we signed is a government-to- government relationship. With regards to the K'atlodeeche, as the Member referred to, it gives us a forum to discuss the most important issues between the two governments. It allows us to have some very detailed and frank discussions about some of the priority areas that are longstanding and continue to be irritants. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to pursue an agreement with the federal government on the management of offshore resources.

As Members are aware, in late 2016, the Government of Canada took a significant potential economic development opportunity off the table when they declared a moratorium on offshore oil and gas development in the Beaufort. While I understand the reasons for his decision, the Prime Minister's announcement of a moratorium in the Arctic Canadian waters was disappointing. Equally disappointing was the lack of...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The long-term intention is that we are still optimistic of having all of the Aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories sign on to the devolution agreement and become part of the intergovernmental affairs unit. With the unit, that will allow us to all deal with the lands under each of their different government's responsibilities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can reassure the Member that we believe that our services will be enhanced and the advice will improve to allow us to go forward and fulfil our priorities for this department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe I responded to that question that the procedures are in place. If the committee wants us to change it, we would be pleased to do it if the committee make a recommendation to do that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to clarify that they were not cut. They were transferred to shared services, and all four positions were staffed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There was some previous direction with regard to rate rebalancing, which adds significant negative impacts on rate payers in some of the communities, so it was felt that it was in the best interest of all to lighten the impact. Certainly, if committee feels we should look at getting rid of the PUB, if we get that recommendation from committee, we will look at it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is a federal government legal opinion, and they do not normally share their legal opinions with us, Mr. Chair.