Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should clarify. The honourable Member is correct, it is a northern accord; oil and gas/minerals. As I said yesterday, my optimistic side is if we can reach an arrangement with the aboriginal groups by the end of May in which they assist us in the development of the accord and the language of the accord, then I'm optimistic with the commitment that has been given by Mr. Irwin, Minister of Indian Affairs, and the priorities being placed on this initiative by both the Premier and our illustrious Finance Minister, that we should be in a position to conclude an accord that is reflective of the majority of people in the territories. I'm certainly optimistic we can achieve that.

However, in all fairness, I think it's contingent upon, to some extent, the ability of all of us who are meeting to reach an arrangement on the accord, to work with each other in an effort to reach a compromise position. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. Recognizing that the Treaty 8 organization is in their land selection process, and also recognizing that there are some other native organizations that don't have their claims settled, I recognize the Minister is being optimistic; however, stating the reality of the world today, inside and outside of the Northwest Territories, and the reluctance of certain native organizations without a claim, I cannot see how they can achieve a northern accord; how this government can get the support of all native organizations for a northern accord. I would like to ask the Minister, can he

advise this House as to what aboriginal organizations do not support the acquisition of a northern accord for this government? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I'm not trying to avoid the question but I can't speak for aboriginal organizations that are at the table. I can say this; both Treaty 8 and the Deh Cho people have expressed some concern. They are in intensive discussions with the federal government as it relates to a nation-to-nation relationship, rather than a claim relationship. I think I can say, I hope without contradiction, that the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in, Sahtu, NTI and the Metis Nation have all agreed to sit around the table and try to reach an arrangement and language that would make them feel comfortable so that we could move forward in trying to reach an accord. I don't know whether that satisfies the honourable Member, but that's the best way I can describe it at this time.

It would be my hope -- and I believe I've been reasonably public and candid particularly with my colleagues, the Treaty 8 people -- that while they view themselves as observers and not direct participants, they would still give us their best advice on how we should proceed. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister advise this House and the public of the Northwest Territories, as of this date, does he have the support of Treaty 8 to acquire a northern accord for the Government of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a very difficult question to answer. Again, I'm not trying to be evasive. I have met on three occasions with Treaty 8 representatives and have encouraged them to be participants in this process. They view their relationship with the federal government differently than claimant groups with claims. It would be difficult for me to say whether they are onside or not onside. I know they've come to the meetings in an observer status and I've certainly appreciated that and I've extended my appreciation to them for that.

They're attending the meetings as observers, which I'm encouraged by. They've made it clear to us that they have a special relationship with the federal government which they don't want the accord to encumber. So it's very delicate. We're trying to find a delicate balance in the language of the accord that will one, satisfy this public government; and, two, not impinge upon the negotiations that are under way with the federal government. I guess that would be the best way to explain it. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister may feel it is a delicate situation but I don't think it is a delicate issue. I'm just asking whether or not they support the accord. Recognizing that Treaty 8, as the Minister stated, is only an observer in the process -- they don't even want to be participants in the process to give the government support for the northern accord -- I would like to ask the Minister again, has the federal government stipulated that all aboriginal organizations have to support this government in order to acquire a northern accord? Thank you.

The federal government has indicated to me, in my discussions with them, that I should make every attempt to seek broad-based support for an accord. That's what they've indicated at this time. I don't believe they have said one group or another would have a veto, but I believe they have said it is incumbent upon us to reach broad-based support for this accord. A genuine expression of the politics of inclusion is what we're attempting to achieve in the round-table discussions we're having with the key leadership of aboriginal groups. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Zoe.