Robert C. McLeod

The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board set the security amounts, and the GNWT can provide information to the board on the recommended amounts. The GNWT, I can assure you, was very active in the most recent water licensing process that took place since devolution, and made recommendations to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board that security amounts should be increased. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, there was no financial security associated with the lease, which was issued by Canada before devolution. Even though the GNWT still holds the surface lease, Canada has accepted the responsibility to remediate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We have been very fortunate in the last number of years where we have received infrastructure money from Ottawa. We had the Building Canada Plan from a few years back that put over $245 million into the Northwest Territories. A lot of that money flowed to the communities. The communities actually did a very good job with the projects. Through the New Building Canada Plan, we had $258 million booked for the Northwest Territories. Out of that, $38.4 million was allocated to the communities. The rest of the money actually went into our transportation projects. We just approved bundle 2, and we...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We will have to confirm and see if we're legally allowed to do that. Thank you.

We have to take into account the fact that we've already done the Formula Funding Review, and that was work that we accelerated during the life of the 17th Assembly. That was actually supposed to start at the beginning of the 18th, but we felt that it was important that we identify what the communities would need and then, at the beginning of the 18th Assembly, or during the life of the 18th Assembly, see if we can come up with plans to fund some of the funding shortfalls that were identified. We have to recognize, though, in our challenging fiscal situation, and with the rest of the mandate...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, when Canada signed rights to all securities held for the interests that transferred to the GNWT during devolution, the GNWT became aware that the Reclamation Security Agreement that had been approved by the INAC Minister included promissory notes that were backed by the Mactung property. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Speaker, the first priority identified the by the 18th Legislative Assembly talks about improving governance by increasing accountability, transparency, collaboration and building stronger relationships with community governments and stakeholders. I am pleased to rise today to announce the launch of a new website that does just that. It is important that the residents of the NWT have confidence in the safety of their drinking water. Improving access to information about how the government and its partners work together to keep drinking water safe is one way to foster that confidence. This...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Heritage Fund Act was enacted on August 1, 2012, and the legislation establishes a trust fund as a long-term investment in which surplus funds typically received from resource royalties may be transferred at the discretion of a Legislative Assembly. Once transferred, these funds become part of the principal of the Heritage Fund. Under the Act, for the first 20 years once first contribution is made, both the principal and the interest, or the income generated by the fund, are retained in the fund. After 20 years have passed, transfers out of the fund for use...

I would be pleased to provide committee with a briefing, or I can compile some information as far as a briefing note goes, and submit that to committee and then they can determine whether they want to have a briefing or not.