Mr. Ootes.

I'm concerned about the potential liability if a lot of communities come forward next year to apply, we could potentially add another $3 million there which would really impact on our financial position. The Minister referred to the fact that they could look at doing this differently in the future, and I'm wondering if that could be taken under consideration to advise communities to get your programs in ahead of time so that we can plan ahead of time so that we know where we're going financially, especially since so many comments have been made about special warrants and unwarranted expenditures. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Todd. Mr. Ootes.

Is there a time frame attached to the expenditure of the $18 million?

Mr. Todd.

Thank you. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Since this issue of buffalo has come up, I just have a couple of questions. I think the figure of 168 bison is probably low, I think it's more in the area of 180. The figure I heard was about $1.3 million in buffalo. So I don't know if this is an accurate figure. My first question would be with regard to the date. When was this grant in kind contribution agreed to?

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Kakfwi.

Madam Chair, the previous Minister of Renewable Resources signed an agreement with the leaders of Fort Resolution, I believe some time in October or November, I'm not certain as to the date.

Thank you. Mr. Miltenberger.

The reason I asked is that the deadline that was given to the community of Fort Smith to submit an alternate proposal was December 1st. After I was elected and I brought it up and starting pursuing it, I found out that there already had been an arrangement made prior to the deadline and we were sort of left out in the cold. So that's why I was asking about the date. I know the great buffalo capers and the buffalo are all gone, but that has always been a sticky point in the community. I don't know if the Minister would care to respond to that.

Mr. Kakfwi.

Madam Chair, the previous Minister was not too impressed, I gather, with the great show of enthusiasm by the community of Fort Smith to come up with a proposal. They were, in fact, asked and served notice in May of last year if they would prepare a proposal of some sort, give a letter or some indication that they were interested in acquiring ownership of the buffalo. I believe that late into the fall, the Minister had not yet received any indication from Fort Smith as to their interest or lack of interest, so the Minister felt it was quite reasonable to then take a very well-thought-out and reasonable proposal from the next community. This is my understanding of it. More detail can be provided if Members are interested. I would have to get the correspondence that was exchanged, to be more detailed in my response. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Miltenberger.

Madam Chair, I have a comment and then another question. I just want to point out that I was on the phone on October 17th on this issue and the deal had

already been done. It just gives me pause to question this date of December 1 st as set by the Department of Renewable Resources. It wasn't set by the community. It's a question of good faith. If they arbitrarily decide because they got a better offer, what good is the Department of Renewable Resources when it comes to deadlines? Do we have any kind of guarantee that a whole pile of these buffalo aren't going to be shipped south right off the top to cover off the investment of the private investor or is there some condition that would keep these buffalo, at least for a while, in the Northwest Territories, or is it just take the buffalo and do what you want?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Madam Chair, the buffalo were taken possession of by the new owners last week. The new owners also agreed that most of the bison will remain in the facilities that have been constructed in Fort Resolution for this purpose. There are a number of bulls which are considered surplus at this time, so we have agreed to allow these to be shipped south as opposed to transporting them to Resolution and then shipping them south for disposal. There are also a number of young calves that, for feeding purposes, we have agreed to allow be shipped south. These will be returned to Resolution when feeding and weather is a little easier on the creatures. So we did have an agreement and the agreement can be made available to Members if they're interested in taking a look at it.

Thank you. Mr. Miltenberger.

I have that agreement. I have no further questions at this point.

Thank you. Mr. Henry.