Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister responsible for Renewable Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Could the Minister indicate whether he thinks there is a need to enhance the GNWT's involvement in issues relating to water as I raised in my Member's statement today in this House? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it has always been the view of the Government of the Northwest Territories that the people of the north, particularly the aboriginal people, should be, in the first instance, the decision makers in regard to the way in which water is used and managed in the Northwest Territories. There should be some assurance given by neighbouring jurisdictions about the water that flows into our water systems, that some assurance be given as to the quality, and that there is good management upstream from us.

Unfortunately, it is true that it is the federal government residing in Ottawa that is still, for all intents and purposes, the owners and the managers of land and water in the Northwest Territories. Yes, it is our view that, at the earliest occasion, we should, with the support of aboriginal people, seek to have the jurisdiction for inland waters transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very glad to hear the Minister's response. Could the Minister indicate how he anticipates or envisions that happening? What sort of time frame? Given the critical nature of this issue that without water, we are a desert, and things are happening to us as we speak. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the obstacle right now is the fact that, in the southern part of the territories with the Deh Cho, the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the Metis, the South Slave, as well as Treaty 8, there are no land claim settlements reached, nor is there any substantive progress in negotiations of the self-government agreements. There is opposition at this time, or at least a reluctance, by certain aboriginal groups to support the transfer of any further responsibilities from Ottawa to the Government of the Northwest Territories. Somehow, the logic is that it is better to leave the controls outside of the Northwest Territories in Ottawa, than it is to support an arrangement where a government that is accountable and answerable to the people of the communities, including the constituents of the aboriginal organizations themselves, is not an attractive option at this time.

That is the obstacle. If we had our way, we would push to work out an agreement, at the earliest instance, with the aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories, to see successful conclusion of transfer talks, devolution talks, and jurisdiction over inland waters, all lands in the Northwest Territories, management, ownership of oil and gas and minerals, and the administration of that regime, would be transferred to this government at the earliest occasion. That is what we will strive to do. However, there are certain obstacles in the way at this time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we attempt to deal with this fairly political issue, and the complication as outlined by the Minister, there are, by my understanding, various tables even with the technical level, where there is space for the GNWT where we can at least have a voice and be part of the decision-making to make our concerns known. Would the Minister concur that it may be in our benefit to start having representatives wherever it is possible? To in fact further our concerns and be aware of what is happening, so that we are in front of the parade and not under it on the water issues? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it is true that, although we have no responsibility for water, that all responsibility for water primarily resides with different federal departments at this time.

We do have a responsibility to work on behalf of our people to ensure that everything is done to ensure water quality, and to maintain a healthy and viable ecosystem in the different water basins that exist in the Northwest Territories. We have worked, for instance, with the federal government on setting up several monitoring systems. We have worked with the federal government in Alberta, doing a study that would look at how we can work co-operatively to look at the type of research and monitoring that should be in place in dealing with water systems that we share with Alberta.

We have worked for a number of years with the governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and the federal government to come up with a transboundary water agreement that would have everyone commit, along with aboriginal peoples, to work in a cooperative fashion to ensure that everything is done to share information and to share the responsibility for managing and monitoring the waters that we all share in this particular part of Canada. Yes, we do not have any direct responsibility, but we have been active in taking every opportunity given to us in the last few years to actively lobby and take part in studies and programs that involve waters. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is to be applauded for its efforts in that area. However, my information is, for example, that currently there are technical committees that meet on a regular basis that have a space for the territorial government. While we respond to issues, we do not seem to be at the table on a regular basis for the day-to-day network that is so important on this kind of issue. Would the Minister check to see if there are other possible avenues that have not yet been explored, in terms of enhancing our presence in this critical area, while we are trying to resolve the other more political issues he referred to earlier? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, we would be very pleased to do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Justice. Last fall, I received a report from a group of inmates in a southern institution and I spoke on that the last session, with regard to concerns those inmates have with respect to their incarceration in the south. I understand that the territorial government has signed a service agreement with the federal government covering northern inmates now in southern institutions, and according to my information, this program will see 15 inmates transferred to the Salvation Army for programs to help them prepare for full parole. My question to the Minister is can he provide an update on this program for us?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister could tell us if he is pursuing other agreements with the federal government that will create an opportunity for northern offenders to serve their time here in the Territories?