Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One of the ongoing and primary interests of aspirations of First Nations people is clearly understanding their role within the union of the NWT. I think for a long time there’s been…(inaudible)…towards development of a Constitution of the NWT. I know right now, we work within a strong link to the federal government through the NWT Act. It’s always been clearly stated by various tables that we should try to maybe spend some effort in developing a Constitution for the NWT in preparation for the ultimate road to provincehood. There are some building blocks that have been achieved. There have been efforts through the Western Constitutional Forum, the Bourque Commission, and the intergovernmental forums that had achieved at least some semblance of effort to begin the work of laying the Constitution. Would that be one of the functions of the Intergovernmental Council?

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The answer is no. It will be strictly a function of land management/land administration and how we can work together to improve how we can both look after the lands. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

If I could, Mr. Chair, why not?

We don’t see that as in the purview of the Intergovernmental Council. This is what we worked out with our Aboriginal government partners. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Next on my list I have Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d like to pick up where I left off yesterday on some questions about the Intergovernmental Council on Land and Resource Management. I have appreciated the questions so far.

We talked about the role of this new structure. I wonder how Regular Members will have input into the terms of reference for this structure.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is something that has been negotiated with the Aboriginal governments and we’ve also provided regular briefings to the Members. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I’m not quite sure that’s relevant to my question. Obviously they will need a terms of reference, it’s a pretty broad swath in the agreement. What is this? Is this government working with other governments? This government very legitimately needs a role to play and that role is not restricted to Cabinet. In fact, it’s not restricted to half of our public; it includes all our public.

Again, I will ask how will Regular Members have input into how this council works and other aspects that would typically be covered in a terms of reference if it’s going to be done without a terms of reference. I would hope that there would be a clear and transparent and public terms of reference.

This will be an intergovernmental agreement. I would expect that it would be set up through legislation and terms of reference. We certainly can work with the Regular Members, but I’ll ask, through you, for Mr. Goldney to go into more detail, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Deputy Minister Goldney.

Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Mr. Bromley.

Thank you for that information. Obviously this has been referred to as constitutional development behind closed doors and clearly it is. So what I’m trying to get at is how the public and Regular Members can participate in this governance council and perhaps you’ll have a toolbar in your tool kit I could borrow, Mr. Chair.

We do know, indeed, that Aboriginal governments and Aboriginal people have legal means with

respect to consultation and this government has chosen to not quite ignore, but almost ignore those that don’t have Aboriginal and treaty rights in terms of meaningful consultation. Here we have another construct that I know there was a lot of public concern about how people and their representatives will have input into this council. So, we have people that have a legal assurance of consultation and those that don’t. We have a construct made in secrecy behind closed doors and what we’re looking for is transparency, a democratic opportunity for participation.

I’m sure we’ll have the opportunity to debate this with development of legislation, I hope. That has not always proven to be the case here this session, but can the Premier assure us, can the Minister assure us that these opportunities and mechanisms will be provided for in the development in the operations of this council? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don’t think setting up an Intergovernmental Council is going to change any constitution or any construct. Members here represent all of the people in the Northwest Territories and, as I said, with the legislation that would set up the Intergovernmental Council. I would welcome input from the Members as to providing input to us in terms of our participation with the Intergovernmental Council. Thank you.

Thank you. That sounds great. I’m wondering how the public will participate and I’m wondering if the Minister can assure us that these meetings will be public and full transparency will be provided through the opportunity for anybody to look at them as people are welcome to attend during this House session. Thank you.

Thank you. I have to recognize that there will be at least five other Aboriginal government partners. So that will be something that we would work out and I’m sure that we would want to be as transparent as possible. Thank you.

Thanks for the Premier’s reply there. I wonder if the Premier would take on the lead in suggesting that meetings be public and provide that transparency. Thank you.

Thank you. I’d be pleased to do so.

That’s all I have, Mr. Chair. Mahsi.

Thank you. Committee, page 4-25, activity summary, intergovernmental relations, operations expenditure summary, $1.707 million. Agreed?