Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we do have another position in the community that can provide the same functions as the one that has been eliminated. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I don't think the reductions are driving this budget. The department feels that they have produced a fiveyear action plan entitled "Healthy Land, Healthy People, Government of the Northwest Territories Priorities for Advancement of Conservation Network Planning." Our position is that we feel we have the necessary capacity within our existing department or existing people to complete the work. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Member is quoting off page 74.

The Inuvialuit Water Board was asked for input on the GNWT interest development of negotiation position and intention document for both the AlbertaNWT and the BCNWT agreements as well as the development of a negotiation position for agreement with Saskatchewan and for updating our existing agreement with the Yukon. We have had specific meetings with all of the NWT regulatory boards to solicit input as we move forward with some of these transboundary water agreements.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I'll make that commitment to provide the Member with the amount of money that's in there. As far as the federal government, I can't make that commitment. We really don't know what's in the federal government fund. Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Member’s desire to hear from the Minister directly himself. We have a five-year action plan that we’re working on right now. As we go forward and we find that some of the work that we have to do in future years or within the next budget cycle, I mean, there’s an opportunity to expand on that work, then I suppose we would have to go back and look at bringing the necessary expertise on board. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I can commit to that. My understanding is that we do that already, but I will commit to that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Government of Northwest Territories, we have a vested interest in working with the Inuvialuit Water Board and the water boards of the Mackenzie Valley. As water partners, we work closely with the Inuvialuit Water Board and other regional and land water boards in the implementation of a five-year action plan for the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, so we do have a vested interest in working with the water boards with all the Aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories, and we will continue to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the answer is no the money is not there to leverage other money, it's there for environmental liabilities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, with me today to my immediate right I have Dr. Erin Kelly, the assistant deputy minister of Environment and Natural Resources. To my left I have Susan Craig, who is the director of Corporate Services. To my far right, first day on the job, started at 5 a.m. this morning, is Dr. Joe Dragon, who will be our new deputy minister of Environment and Natural Resources, so we'll be having him answer all the questions today.