Louis Sebert

Thank you, Mr. Chair, to my right is Willard Hagen, deputy minister. To my left Brenda Hilderman, director of Finance and Administration. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would just like to add that sometimes getting zoning changes, that type of request, it could be a little bit difficult, and I can't speak for MACA, but generally they don't like to do spot zoning. Maybe if there is a whole section of land involving several properties, that might be easier to have rezoned than a single property, which would then have a different zoning designation than the properties around it. That could be problematic.

Yes, in essence, that is true. However, I mentioned the honour of the Crown. One of the things we have to do in the unsettled areas is, of course, consult with the affected Aboriginal groups. So there are really two things coming into play there. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

This money isn't to settle the land claims, but perhaps Mr. Hagen would elaborate a little more on how the money is being spent. I understand it's to develop policies and procedures for evaluating agricultural land lease applications, but he may have something to add.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the 2018-2019 Main Estimates for the Department of Lands. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $1,447,000, or 5 per cent over the 2017-2018 Main Estimates.

Highlights of the proposed estimates include initiative funding of $1,451,000; forced growth totalling $480,000, sunsets of $215,000, and a reduction of $116,000. Our estimates include one-time funding of $558,000 in 2018-2019 to lay the groundwork to develop an approach to manage untenured and unauthorized occupancy of public lands. This funding includes two one-year term positions.

O...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, of course, people could pay on a monthly basis. I see there is a note here that informs me that, under section 3 of the Income Assistance Policy Manual, applicants who reside on Commissioner's lands, the Department of Lands, or the NWTHC may qualify for monthly allowance to assist in the cost of the land lease. I wasn't aware of that. It appears there are avenues to assist people who find themselves in the position that you have mentioned. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I just want to say that a legal opinion from Justice would be privileged.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I can commit to asking the rental officer to do that.

I don't actually have those figures, but I will undertake to provide them to the Member opposite.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the period of 2016-2017, there were actually fewer applications, but there were more complex issues involved in those applications. Also, too, the long-standing rental officer retired, so that left one rental officer working there. Those two issues led to delays, which we fully acknowledge. Now, I have noticed that the numbers for the period from April 1, 2017, to January 31, 2018, do represent an improvement. So we are committed to improving those numbers further, Mr. Speaker. We knew there were also pressures on the office administrator's workload, and those...