I think we already approved the implementation section. But devolution was a fairly seamless transition and it hasn’t resulted in any increased requirements for funding under implementation. Most of the implementation is for implementation of land claims or self-government.

Thanks to the Premier for that information. Just one last question. I’d like to ask about negotiations with both the federal government and Lutselk'e Dene Band in and around the Thaidene Nene National Park. Where do we stand as the GNWT? What is our role in these negotiations? Can I get some kind of a status report on where the negotiations are at? Are they at a standstill? Are they moving forward? Are they going backwards? We haven’t heard anything about it for quite some time.

It’s quite a complex arrangement. We have tried to make sure that the

negotiations for land claims and self-government, although it’s coordinated, the lead on dealing with Thaidene Nene has been identified as the Department of ENR, working very closely with ITI, Lands, Aboriginal Affairs, Justice and other departments, whereby we expect to have a park complemented by northern tools, and there are some active discussions going on as we speak.

Just one last question. Can we get any kind of an indication of when we might get some kind of a resolution and some kind of an agreement on this proposed park?

The federal government has agreed to pause at their end to allow us to work with the Lutselk'e and we expect to have some results by the end of March or early April that would indicate whether we’re moving forward or not.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Committee, we’re on page 47, negotiations, operations expenditure summary, $2.609 million.

Page

49,

negotiations, active positions. Questions?

Page 50, lease commitments. Questions?

Work performed on behalf of others. Questions? Ms. Bisaro.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Just a question here. I note from the ’14-15 Main Estimates to the ’15-16 Main Estimates the amounts are pretty similar but the revised estimates for ’14-15 went up some $200,000 or so. Could I get an explanation as to why the revised mains are so much higher and why we’ve gone back down to a lower number for the start of this budget? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Director Robertson.

Thank you, Director Robertson. Committee, we are on page 51. Mr. Yakeleya.

Mr. Chair, I just want to understand something from the section here, Sahtu land claim implementation. Under the terms, the territorial government will get funding from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and Canada will provide a 2015 grant payment to the GNWT to assist the Sahtu implementation activities pursuant to the Sahtu Implementation Plan. Just help me out here. There is one government giving another government money, so then they can help with the implementation of the Sahtu Implementation Plan? Is that normal? Is that what the process is set up to? How many activities, I guess, with the Sahtu Implementation Plan are done or concluded or are ongoing? I’m trying to figure that out here. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think the Member answered his own question, but I will ask, through you, for Mr. Robertson to go in more detail.

Director Robertson, go ahead, please.

Thank you, Director Robertson. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you. I knew I was smart. I knew I should have listened to my Mom, who said, “You’re smart. You’re smart.”

I want to ask the Minister on the implementation plan for the Sahtu that we fulfilled all obligations under the Sahtu Implementation Plan by our government, because I’m hearing some other things from the federal government that they’re not quite all completed. You know, some of the implementation plan is 10 or 20 years late. I’m trying to figure that out. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Premier McLeod.