Mr. Speaker, I am in receipt of Return to Written Question 1-15(4) asked by Mr. Braden to the Honourable Floyd Roland, Minister of Finance, regarding federal contributions to the NWT.

Federal initiatives have added almost $76.7 million in potential new federal monies since the 2005-2006 Main Estimates were tabled on February 10, 2005. Of this

$76.7 million, $13.3 million is already in trust, or the money is committed and will flow once agreements are in place.

The remaining $63.4 million was transferred into trust accounts with the passage of the federal 2005-06 budget bill, Bill C-43. The federal budget bill included the $40 million Northern Strategy Trust, a special payment of $22.5 million relating to a technical adjustment to the territorial formula financing grant, and payment into trust of $941,000 as the NWT share of the funding related to the as-of-yet unsigned Early Learning and Childcare Agreement.

Also included in the federal 2005-06 budget is $4.5 million of federal fuel tax sharing under the federal New Deal for Cities Program. This money is not included in the $76.7 million because it will flow through the GNWT to community governments following agreements between the federal government and the NWT Association of Communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am also in receipt of Return to Written Question 3-15(4) asked by Mr. Hawkins to the Honourable David Krutko, Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation regarding the Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program.

In fiscal years 2004-05 and 2005-06, a total of 31 applications for EDAP assistance were declined in the city of Yellowknife. All of these applications were rejected as a result of the applicants being ineligible for assistance. A number of applications have yet to be formally approved or declined as the North Slave district office is awaiting further information.

Since 2002, no applicant for EDAP has been rejected due to a lack of available funds. In certain instances, applicants who are approved in one fiscal year have waited to receive their funds until the next year due to the lack of an available unit at the time of approval. Applicants who are declined in one fiscal year are welcome to reapply in the following year should they meet the program requirements.

There is no waiting list for EDAP per se; however, there are currently 48 applicants under consideration. These applications will not be approved or declined until all information has been provided by applicants. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am in receipt of Return to Written Question 4-15(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya to the Honourable Joseph Handley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, regarding initiatives to strengthen the Northwest Territories.

The honourable Member inquired into whether the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to using initiatives such as devolution, resource revenue sharing and the Northern Strategy to strengthen the whole of the Northwest Territories. Throughout the 15th Legislative Assembly, I have reaffirmed the GNWT commitment to using these initiatives to build a strong and sustainable territory for the benefit of all residents. This represents a major goal of the GNWT and one that will be tirelessly pursued.

The GNWT believes that a stronger territory and more sustainable communities will take shape primarily as a result of the successful completion of a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement. There are currently a number of major initiatives underway, all of which will shape the future of the NWT in significant ways. No matter how we advance the various initiatives, devolution and resource revenue sharing will be a key approach in strengthening the whole NWT, because it will transfer control of northern resources to the NWT and establish new intergovernmental relationships among NWT governments. The Northern Strategy also has potential to benefit the NWT through specific federal and territorial programming initiatives. The initiatives are linked and are closely coordinated. The Northern Strategy is more immediate, but I have stated clearly that it should not proceed in the absence of a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement-in-principle.

Concrete steps are being taken to strengthen northern government and to build strong and sustainable communities, all of which will shape the future of the NWT in significant ways. This includes devolution and resource revenue sharing, the negotiation of a socioeconomic development impact fund and the Northern Strategy. As there are linkages, the GNWT is attempting to ensure that these initiatives are developed in parallel.

The GNWT and aboriginal governments are negotiating a bilateral agreement in conjunction with the devolution and resource revenue sharing AIP in particular, that will set out the parameters for cooperation on resource management and establish a political forum that reflects this new government-to-government relationship. Working together in areas of mutual interest towards mutual benefit, while respecting each other's jurisdictions, will serve as the basis for this relationship. This bilateral agreement and the resource revenue sharing arrangements will strengthen the relationship among NWT governments and ensure we maximize resource development benefits for all NWT residents by cooperating and coordinating management responsibilities on both private settlement lands and public lands.

My role as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in coordinating these processes is, first and foremost, to develop strong relationships amongst our NWT governments. Working in a respectful and collaborative manner while pursuing common goals will benefit all northerners through the conclusion of these agreements. The Northern Strategy, in particular the NWT chapter, was developed with input from Caucus, the Aboriginal Summit, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and many individuals and stakeholders from across the NWT. Our GNWT line departments are currently negotiating specific actions for the territorial and federal governments to undertake together under the Northern Strategy. We expect a final draft shortly.

I will be able to answer questions like these in greater detail upon completion of a devolution and resource revenue sharing AIP. At present, the details are still being negotiated and I am unable to provide additional information without jeopardizing the negotiation process.

The Member's question confirms to me the significance of devolution for the NWT and how devolution along with the

conclusion of lands, resources and self-government negotiations in all regions of the NWT will benefit aboriginal peoples of the NWT, the NWT as a whole, and Canada by equipping northerners with the tools to achieve a higher degree of self-reliance.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am in receipt of Return to Written Question 5-15(4) asked by Mr. Villeneuve to the Honourable Joseph Handley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, regarding recognition of aboriginal governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to recognizing the inherent rights of aboriginal peoples in the Northwest Territories and supporting aboriginal governments as legitimate governments representing the aboriginal public. I believe this dedication is evident in the GNWT's participation in the negotiation of aboriginal lands, resources and self-government negotiations, as well as through the negotiation of a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement.

The GNWT is working to strengthen its support for the inherent rights of aboriginal peoples through the negotiation and implementation of aboriginal lands, resources and self-government agreements. The completed Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement, the culmination of years of negotiations between the Tlicho, Canada and the GNWT, clarifies the jurisdictions and authorities of the Tlicho governments. In addition, the GNWT continues to participate in self-government negotiations in the Beaufort-Delta with the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit, with the Sahtu Dene and Metis in the communities of Deline and Tulita, in Akaitcho process negotiations and in Metis process negotiations. The GNWT is also a party to Dehcho process negotiations. As well, the GNWT will participate in self-government negotiations with the Ernie MacDonald Land Corporation in Norman Wells and with the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Colville Lake and Fort Good Hope, once these processes begin.

In addition to the GNWT's involvement in negotiating current lands, resources and self-government agreements, and supporting their successful implementation, we are looking at ways to further strengthen the GNWT's support of the inherent rights of aboriginal peoples.

The GNWT views its relationship with aboriginal governments as an opportunity to build sustainable communities through the sharing of responsibilities and resource revenues. The GNWT pursues this goal through a number of processes, the most direct way being through lands, resources and self-government negotiations. These agreements will clarify aboriginal governments' authorities and responsibilities, as well as clarify what First Nations' interests are in relation to land.

Devolution negotiations are also being used to further the goal of building sustainable communities through the sharing of responsibilities and resource revenues. An agreement in this area will strengthen the NWT as a whole as it transfers control of northern resources to the NWT and establishes new intergovernmental relationships among NWT governments. Resource revenue sharing is expected to, in part, build the capacity of aboriginal governments to deliver programs and services.

Furthermore, the GNWT and aboriginal governments are negotiating a bilateral agreement in conjunction with a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement. This is intended to strengthen the relationship among NWT governments and ensure we maximize resource development benefits for all northern residents by cooperating and coordinating management responsibilities on both aboriginal settlement lands and public lands.

The conclusion of devolution and lands, resources and self-government negotiations in all regions of the NWT is a high priority for our government. These processes will benefit northern aboriginal peoples, the NWT as a whole and Canada by equipping northerners with the tools to achieve a higher degree of self-reliance.

Question.