Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the western constitutional development process continues, the funding for this process remains a concern. The ministry has committed funds for this process, but the standing committee notes that the federal government has a significant responsibility towards funding constitutional development for the western Northwest Territories. As of the Committee's meeting with the Minister in December to review the main estimates, meetings with DIAND staff concerning this funding have not yet taken place. The Minister informed the committee that they intend to provide one third of the funding necessary for the process, and that they expect the federal government to provide the other two thirds. However, to date, the federal government has not committed funds for the process.

Committee members are concerned that, without federal funding, either the territorial government will be expected to pay for the entire process or that limited territorial funds will result in the process being inadequately funded. Neither alternative is acceptable.

The standing committee is also concerned that funding for the process is coming from a number of different resources. For example, the Legislative Assembly is using some of their funding to assist the process by providing some office space and salary funding.

The ministry is participating in negotiations with Makivik's offshore claims in Hudson's Bay, Ungava Bay, and Hudson's Strait. The committee appreciates that the Quebec Inuit have legitimate claims on the use of those waters and the resources therein. However, it is important to remember that all islands in James Bay, Ungava Bay, Hudson's Bay, and Hudson's Strait, remain in the jurisdiction of the Northwest Territories. It is important that the NWT's interests are protected during these negotiations. The standing committee will continue to monitor the ministry's process in these negotiations and urges the government to protect the interests of the Northwest Territories in any future land claims negotiations from Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario or Manitoba, which lie adjacent to the Northwest Territories' jurisdiction in those waters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.