I guess one of the things, we have looked at all of these and a number of these negotiations have to occur to bring final clarity as to the roles and responsibilities, but clearly, if you look at chapter 5, Transfer of Responsibilities, existing rights, 5.3, the transfer of administration on control of public lands and rights in respect of waters to the Commissioner, pursuant to Section 5.1 shall not: (a) affect any existing right or interest or trust including any existing interest in respect of public lands; (b) affect any existing right including any existing interest in respect of waters; or (c) abrogate or derogate from: (i) any Aboriginal or treaty right including any right under Treaty 8 or Treaty 11 of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada; or (ii) any fiduciary duty or obligation of the Crown to the Aboriginal People of Canada including any obligation provided by the Constitution of Canada.
It’s that kind of language that’s throughout this agreement-in-principle that was put there because of the involvement of the groups that helped in the designing of the agreement-in-principle. Clearly, we’ve gone to significant levels to protect the Aboriginal rights as we go through this process and going forward.
The issue, for example, that the Member has highlighted of regulatory reform, while the federal government started this process of regulatory reform a while back and I guess what I would say is if that was in our control we would absolutely be in consultation going forward, and in fact, by being at the table would influence going forward what those types of things would look like. For example, in our discussions amongst Members here in writing and meeting with the liaison of the Minister of INAC supported the existing roles in there, in fact, that they needed to be enhanced to get the job done they were required to do. I don’t think we’re very far off from sort of the same principles from that, and in fact, I guess I would say when you look at the overall picture, the very essence of the negotiations that have happened to date is, in a sense, coming to fruition by signing this agreement and being at the table. It’s not a matter of being consulted anymore. It’s a matter that they’re going to be partners in designing and implementing, and that, I think, is a huge step as we go forward into the Northwest Territories. Thank you.