Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends to the Department of Executive to take a proactive approach to communication with the Expert Panel on Equalization and the Council of the Federation panel on fiscal imbalance to ensure the NWT's position is fully understood and represented;

And further, that the government adopt a collaborative approach with the Aboriginal Summit with respect to a communication plan for input into the two panels.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

They are just handing out the motion right now. Are there any questions? Mr. Braden.

Very briefly, Mr. Chair, just to set the context. In committee's review of the budget and the draft mains, we were acutely aware, of course, of the changes and the impacts that were to happen and, in fact, did happen as a result of Ottawa's uptake on the NWT's agenda. The Premier should take no small amount of credit in that. But we also were well briefed and quite appreciative of the reliance that we now have on these panels, the Expert Panel on Equalization and the Council of the Federation panel on fiscal imbalance. They kind of have a lot of our fiscal future and wellbeing in their hands, Mr. Chair. So committee wanted to send a message to the government, to this department, as the lead hand, if you will, to make sure that, I think the word aggressive was in here. Is it in here? No. Okay. I am looking at the wrong motion, Mr. Chair. Anyway, the point of this motion is to give the government the strongest mandate possible to go to these panels, communicate our approach as strongly and clearly as we possibly can, and that we collaborate with the Aboriginal Summit, in effect our governance partners here, on how these two organizations can make an impact at the panel level. That is why we wanted this motion put on the floor, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Page 2-13, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories take an extremely aggressive and clear defined stance in negotiations on the Northern Strategy with the federal government to ensure that the federal government acknowledges the particular opportunities and needs that result from the Northwest Territories' strong economy. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Page 2-13, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a motion. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment undertake a comprehensive review of the Western Arctic Leadership Program to assess the value of the program;

And further, that the results of the review be presented to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight prior to the committee review of the 2006-2009 Business Plans. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Western Arctic Leadership Program has been in effect for a while. I believe it has been about 15 years. It is time that this government takes a look at the program to see the usefulness and effectiveness it has had on the communities. For my region alone, there were 20 people who went to this Western Arctic Leadership Program. I have had several calls from the communities of Deline and Fort Good Hope in terms of strong support for this Western Arctic Leadership Program. The government's contribution to it is greatly appreciated. If the department takes a look at it and sees the value of it, I would like to continue seeing the continued support for this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. To the motion. Mr. Braden.

Mr. Chair, a little bit of administration here. This recommendation, as you would have noted, applies to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and is not on the books here for the Department of Executive, but we wanted to get it on record, so that is why it was brought in at this point. Thank you. That is all, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Page 2-13, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The motion is in order. To the motion.