Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are five vacant positions as of October 31st .

Since that time we have staffed all of them except for one, which there is a job offer in progress, and another that is staffed on an acting basis. So, we’re pleased to say that we’ve staffed all five. Thank you.

Also, seeing an increase of two positions to Yellowknife headquarters, maybe they can detail what those positions are.

The first is a lands negotiator, which is incremental resource resulting from devolution. With the Government of the Northwest Territories now taking on the responsibility for Crown lands, there’s an increased requirement for this position as we are also the Aboriginal rights negotiators, including land. The

second position is the coordinator of the Intergovernmental Council. It’s another incremental resource resulting from devolution. This will help us coordinate and support the activities of the Intergovernmental Council on Land and Resource Management and will be made up of all of the Aboriginal governments that have signed on to devolution and have land to manage, so we will be better able to have a coordinated management scheme for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Just in terms of decentralization, I guess, I would just like to ask the Minister a question about potential decentralization of these positions. Of course, I see them all in headquarters. As we move along, I know we’re still in discussions about phase 2 of decentralization, so I was wondering if there was any inkling or if there’s a need for having regional positions in this department. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

As we are in the process of starting to proceed with phase 3 of decentralization, as part of that we can look at it. In the past it was deemed more effective and efficient to keep the Department of Aboriginal Affairs’ positions here in Yellowknife because it’s a very small department. We need to make sure we’re well coordinated. We also have to share very limited resources. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Active position summary. Any questions?

Agreed. Page 4-13, corporate management, operations expenditures, $4.142 million. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I thought I had seen a larger number of increases over last year, but its $50,000. While I’m asking, maybe I can ask the Minister why there’s an increase of $50,000 over last year.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The main reason is because of forced growth, an increase of $36,000 for collective bargaining increases; there are some other adjustments for financial shared services and for TSC chargeback for the Technical Service Centre, and also an increase of $5,000 for devolution impacts. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Any other questions? Page 4-13, corporate management, operations expenditure summary, $4.142 million. Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is – really I don’t know if this belongs in this section or division or not – the Premier

mentioned, in his opening remarks, coordinating the activities of the Intergovernmental Council on Land and Resource Management as part of the rationale for the increased budget.

I guess, to start off, would it be appropriate to ask questions here on that subject within this section or division? Is that the right division for this?

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Chair, I think there’s another section coming up that provides for it, but as far as the position, it was already dealt with, but I will leave it to you, Mr. Chair, to make the determination.

Mr. Bromley, would you prefer to wait?

I’d be happy to wait, Mr. Chair. I didn’t hear the Premier say which section, but I’d be happy to wait for the appropriate one. Of course, we haven’t passed the whole department, so I’d also be happy to wait until we go to the final.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Premier, for the record.

I guess I could wait until we approve the whole thing, but it’s when we get to intergovernmental relations, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. It’s 4-25, Mr. Bromley, for you to note when we get there.

Corporate management, operations expenditure summary, $4.142 million. Agreed?

Corporate management, grants and contributions, page 4-14, in the amount of $1.145 million. Agreed? Ms. Bisaro.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I just have a question here with regards to the contributions for the Native Women’s Association and the Status of Women Council. I note that there was a small increase, certainly for the Status of Women Council, a very small increase in ’13-14 from ’12-13, and a bit of an increase in the same year for the Native Women’s Association, but the contributions have remained flat since then.

I’d like to know from the Minister, is there any policy which gives a cost of living increase or some sort of forced growth increase to these organizations year over year? Thank you.