Mr. Chairman, as stated previously under general comments, members of the committee noted that $1,000,000 had been allocated for National Aboriginal Day celebrations, which included the Living History Project.

After further questioning, it was learned that the Living History Project had not been separately identified. Members requested a full breakdown of both projects and that the projects be separated in order to fully identify individual funding. The department agreed to this suggestion.

Members also noted a lack of documentation explaining the plans of the society and its funding requirements. The committee raised concerns that the Living History Project appears to have been given special funding preference compared to other non-profit groups. Members also pointed out that funding for cultural groups usually comes through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Finally, the committee was also concerned with the amount of money allocated for this new initiative when other more vital programs could use money as well. The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development referred this item to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight for review. I guess we felt that it had government-wide ramifications.

Mr. Chairman, the committee noted the recent move of the Intergovernmental Forum to the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs from the Department of the Executive. While the committee recognized that the placement of the IGF fits well into the mandate of Aboriginal Affairs, it was concerned to see that the IGF was not accounted for in the ministry's accounting structure or activity descriptions. The ministry responded that due to the shuffle late in the year that they were unable to alter their main estimates. The ministry stated that changes would be made before the main estimates went to the House for consideration.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, it was raised by the committee that aboriginal groups may not have enough funding to adequately participate in self-government negotiations. Current funding arrangements lie with the federal government. Funds are offered as a loan against the final settlement after completion of settled land claim agreements. A number of communities are against this method of funding but do not have an alternative. In response, the ministry stated that negotiations are a federal responsibility and that the ministry works with the federal government to encourage them to work with aboriginal groups. The ministry suggested that it does work directly with aboriginal groups if groups approach them for help.

That is the report of the committee, and I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, to my left is Mr. Richard Bargery, deputy minister for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. To my right is Ms. Veronica Puskas, manager of planning and analysis for the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I think this is the place where I am going to make a motion on the Living History Project.

Mr. Chairman,

I MOVE that $250,000 identified for the Living History Project be deleted from the Aboriginal Affairs activity summary and the total operations expense in the 2002-2003 main estimates. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, once this is deleted, and if the project moves forward, I will pass it by Cabinet. I think it is a Cabinet decision to decide where it is going to go. I will approach it that way. I cannot commit to the Member here whether it is going to go to Education, Culture and Employment, but I will certainly pass that message along. Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to go back to page 2-28.