Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Krutko on October 25, 2010, regarding cost of devolution negotiations.

The Member had three parts to his written question and I shall answer each part individually.

1. What is the total cost of the negotiations?

The total cost of the work of the Office of Devolution over the last nine years has been approximately

$8.2 million. It is important to note that this total includes the funds paid to regional aboriginal governments and the Aboriginal Summit. It is also important to note that the Office of Devolution has had a broader scope of work, most recently being involved in regulatory improvement initiatives including the release of the GNWT’s Approach to Regulatory Improvement.

2. What is the cost for the work of the chief

negotiator?

Over the past nine years, the total cost of the GNWT chief negotiator’s contract with regard to negotiations at all tables (Main Table and bilateral negotiations with Finance Canada) has totalled $655,000.

3. What is the cost of third parties involved in

negotiations?

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time later today I will be tabling a spreadsheet which shows that the GNWT has provided approximately $3.9 million to both the Aboriginal Summit, initially through the Intergovernmental Forum, and then directly to participating regional aboriginal governments to help support and offset their costs of preparation for and participation in devolution-related activities.

It should be noted that the federal government provided an equivalent amount of funding to participating regional aboriginal governments during this same period.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.