Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee's report on the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, in the general areas:
The Establishment Policy of the ministry states, "The mandate of the Minister and Ministry is to protect, develop and promote the interests of the territorial government and the residents of the Northwest Territories in the negotiation and implementation of land claims, self-government and treaty entitlement agreements; in the political and constitutional development of the western Northwest Territories; and develop and maintain mutually beneficial working relations with the Aboriginal leadership."
The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development met with the Minister and ministry to review the 2000-2003 business plans and the 2000-2001 main estimates on Tuesday, May 30th, 2000. The committee noted a $1,034,000 or 28 percent increase in total operations or operations and maintenance expenditures between their 1999-2000 main estimates and the 2000-2001 draft main estimates. Committee members also noted a significant increase of six positions, and an overall increase of 21 percent from the 1999-2000 main estimates.