Thank you, Mr. Chair. We’d like to continue with Tabled Document 22-17(5). We would like to continue with Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, and then the NWT Housing Corporation and, time permitting, Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Does committee agree?

Okay, committee. We will commence after a short break.

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I’ll call Committee of the Whole to order. Mr. Premier, do you have witnesses for the House?

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

Does committee agree?

I’ll ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the witness into the Chamber.

I’ll have you reintroduce your witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my right I have Martin Goldney, deputy minister of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations; to my left I have Richard Robertson, director of policy, planning and communications for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Welcome, gentlemen. Committee, yesterday we left off on page 4-25, activity summary, intergovernmental relations, operations expenditures, $1.707 million. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Welcome back to the Premier and staff. It’s just more of a

question of curiosity, not really affecting the budget for 2014-15 but more for completion of the picture. I want to draw everyone’s attention to the very last line of this activity summary to NWT Days in Ottawa. We all know the Premier has made comments in the House that this was funded within the department, but this activity deals with the expenditure and there is nothing indicated here under main or revised for expenses for NWT Days in Ottawa. Maybe we could get some clarity as to why it was not in this activity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We are not planning to do another NWT Days in this fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Again, I’ll rephrase my question. I realize there wouldn’t be any expenses in the 2014-15 Main Estimates. I’m looking for a track record, which is a document that we have before us which indicates no expenses for NWT Days in Ottawa. We know it was funded within, but I guess for completion it should show up here as a reference point in this document. So if it’s not in this document, if the Premier or staff could indicate where it was captured in preparing these main estimates. Thank you.

It shows under 2013 actuals. Those were the amounts that the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations spent on NWT Days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

So, for clarity purposes, NWT Days that occurred last year around this time in 2013 were actually paid for and accrued in the main estimates of the 2012-2013 budget. Is that correct?

That’s correct.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With regard to the intergovernmental relations, I just wanted to seek some clarification and information. As of April 1, 2014, as we proceed with devolution, I know the Premier has indicated there will be an Intergovernmental Council that will reside with the GNWT plus First Nations people sitting at one table. Is there a provision within the act that will clearly stipulate the role of the Intergovernmental Council? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is the intention. We have sent a letter out to all the Aboriginal government partners that have signed on to devolution to sign on to the Intergovernmental Council Agreement. Once we have that legislation, the draft legislation will be finalized. Through you,

Mr. Chair, I will ask Mr. Goldney to go into the detail of what will be in the draft legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Deputy Minister Goldney.