Committee, if I can get you to return to 2-7, Executive, department summary, operations expenditure summary, $20.464 million.

Does committee agree that consideration of the Department of Executive is completed?

Thank you, committee. I’d like to thank Premier McLeod, Mrs. Ballantyne and Ms. Turner for joining us tonight. If I can get the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort our witnesses out of the Chamber.

Thank you. Committee, we’re going to continue here with Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Premier McLeod, do you have any opening comments?

Yes I do, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2013-2014 Main Estimates for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.

The department’s main estimates propose an operations expenditure budget of $7.416 million, an increase of 1.5 percent from the 2012-2013 Main Estimates. This increase is attributed to forced growth of $130,000 for collective bargaining adjustments, less sunsets of $18,000.

The department, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, is responsible for representing the interests of all Northwest Territories residents in the negotiation and implementation of Aboriginal rights agreements, and through our intergovernmental relations with Aboriginal, territorial, provincial and federal governments. This core business directly supports the 17th Legislative Assembly’s priority of building a strong and sustainable future for our territory, a key aspect of which is strengthening relationships with

Northwest Territories Aboriginal governments and other governments across the country.

This government knows the value of good relationships and we have made it a priority to reach out to governments both domestically and nationally. Recently, I was proud to lead a group of political and industry leaders to Ottawa for NWT Days. The key to achieving our potential lies in the power of partnerships, and I believe NWT Days has done a great deal to raise the profile of the Northwest Territories and advance our key priorities. We will continue to develop the goodwill built during NWT Days and further strengthen our presence in the nation’s capital. We will build on the success of NWT Days to create a future where the Northwest Territories and our people are an essential part of Canada’s economy and future.

This government has also made it a priority to reach out to governments across the territory and strengthen our relationships by looking for common ground. This is especially true with our Aboriginal government partners. As part of our commitment to forging strong working relationships with Aboriginal governments, my Cabinet colleagues and I continue to meet regularly with leaders representing Aboriginal governments throughout the Northwest Territories. These meetings have helped us to identify areas where we can make progress together and ways we can strengthen our relationships.

We are already realizing the benefits from these efforts. This past year the Government of the Northwest Territories entered into formal government-to-government agreements with the Tlicho Government, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Northwest Territory Metis Nation. These agreements formalize our commitment in how we work together with Aboriginal governments to create a strong and prosperous territory for all residents.

The department will continue to focus on doing its part to build a solid foundation for intergovernmental relations by working effectively with its federal and Aboriginal partners to finalize and implement land, resources and self-government agreements in all regions of the Northwest Territories. With several sets of negotiations nearing critical milestones, we are seeing firsthand how partners working together can achieve significant results. This includes the recent conclusion of a draft Deline Final Self-Government Agreement. Once ratified, this agreement will be the first stand-alone self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories. This will provide the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Deline with the means to implement their Aboriginal right to self-government and strengthen their community, and create new business, investment and job opportunities.

The department’s 2013-2014 Main Estimates include no new investments. While there is much work to be done, the department is committed to working hard at achieving results toward the priorities of the 17th Legislative Assembly within existing resources.

That concludes my opening remarks. I look forward to the committee’s comments and questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Premier McLeod, do you have witnesses you would like to bring into the Chamber?

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Please escort your witnesses into the Chamber.

Premier McLeod, if you could introduce your witnesses to the House, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left I have Andy Bevan, acting deputy minister for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, on my right is Richard Robertson, director of policy, planning and communications with DAAIR. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Welcome to the Chamber this evening, gentlemen. Committee, we’re going to be deferring 4-7. Sorry, general comments.

Thank you. Committee will be deferring 4-7. We are going to page 4-8, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, information item, infrastructure investment summary. Any questions?

Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, information item, revenue summary. Any questions?

Page 4-10, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, information item, active positions summary. Any questions?

Page 4-13, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, activity summary, corporate management, operations expenditure summary, $2.760 million.