Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, things are going to start moving. I should say that the draft terms of reference on the Cabinet Standing Committee, was sent to SCOPP. We are waiting for feedback. As I said, there are three partners at the negotiating table. We have to make sure that… I could have made offers a long time ago, but there's no sense making an offer if they're just going to turn around and refuse it, or turn it down. We've had to work to make sure that we involved the federal government. We also involved the Aboriginal governments. As a matter of fact, I met with the Grand Chief of the...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That was a special grant for a feast. I think it was some special anniversary that the Literacy Council hosted. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There's no ongoing delays. That happened because of these vacant positions, but I'll ask through you, Mr. Chair, for the deputy minister to go into more detail. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We'll be pleased to do that. Where it has been pointed out to us by our Aboriginal government partners, we've made representation to the federal government and generally they respond on a very quick basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. North Slave is our regional offices in Yellowknife that are outside of headquarters. Trout Lake are the four Trout Lake communities where we have GSOs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With this new collaborative approach, our expectation is that we would have longer periods of negotiations, so that would consequently reduce the travel required. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll write to the chairperson and ask for that information. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We, as I said, if it was just adding positions to settle land claims, we would have added a lot more positions, but we are taking a more focused, a new approach, and that's where my opening remarks that we identified and additional resources of $200,000 to help with this new collaborative approach to dealing with land claims. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I should clarify that on our website it is referring to Northwest Territories boards; those boards that are our responsibility. If the Member is suggesting that we also include federal boards, I'll be meeting with Minister Bennett next week so I can certainly raise that with her as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again it is related to devolution. Once devolution was achieved and implemented, the requirement for controllable assets has declined significantly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.