Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too stand here in support of the Deline Got’ine people.

Back in 2008 as I worked with the Gwich’in on their self-government agreement, I recall the negotiators saying that the Deline people have decided to have a stand-alone agreement. That is the first agreement in this territory, much like the people in the Yukon who have this style of community government. It is working in the Yukon. I see a great opportunity for the Deline people.

I believe that this process that they have set up was the right decision for their community and I look forward to the progress that they make. I’d just like to congratulate them. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. To the principle of the bill, Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise, too, in support of the bill. I’d like to congratulate the people from the Sahtu for this long haul. I’ve been in a leadership position and it’s not an easy task. But what’s very inspiring is having your elders there with you along the way and it’s very important that you carry along with you your elders, their involvement, at the same time, their wisdom, their patience, and at the same time showing us the humility in terms of not knowing everything, but trying to learn from them as well. So it’s a very important path that you’ve taken. I congratulate you. It’s a proud moment for the people of the Sahtu, of Deline and I wish you well, and I’ll be in full support of this legislation. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. To the principle of the bill, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it’s really important to express how important this issue is, I guess I’d say it that way. This is really a hard, a long path that has finally come to fruition and I am certainly excited to see it happen for the people of the Sahtu. The Deline Self-Government Agreement has my support and my heartfelt congratulations for the many hours, many days, many years that the people have struggled through to bring this together to where it is today.

Their future is in their hands right where it belongs. They will join other governments such as the Tlicho Government who we have all seen move forward with great success in managing and cutting the trail for their people with their vision on getting things done. They have fought for this respect and they have rightly earned it and they are getting it here today. I congratulate them for this.

The Deline Final Self-Government Agreement Act is one for the history books. I was actually quite touched, believe it or not, to hear when the Premier read it into the record that the MLA for the Sahtu is seconding it. It’s not a usual practice, but it represents not only how important our Assembly is through consensus government but it also marks the moment in time the Sahtu helped play a role in this and this Assembly took special note of that.

I want to finish by saying, as a young boy who has grown up here in the North, I can tell you how deeply important the vision of all elders are from every region. I may have grown up in the Deh Cho, but I know your elders are so important to the vision and provide the strength and the future of the youth. I have no doubt that the Deline Self-Government Agreement will do that.

Again, my heartfelt congratulations and my wholehearted support.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. To the principle of the bill.

Question has been called. All those in favour, please rise for a recorded vote.

All those opposed, please rise. All those abstaining, please rise. Those in favour, 18; opposed, zero; abstentions, zero. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 46 moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Bill 46 is moved into Committee of the Whole.

---Applause

Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Jury Act; Bill 41, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act; Committee Report 10-17(5), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories; and Tabled Document 188-17(5), Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2015-2016, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order for today and ask what is the wish of the committee. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We wish to continue with Tabled Document 188-17(5), Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2015-2016. We want to continue with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and, time

permitting, Municipal and Community Affairs and the Department of Lands. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Is committee agreed?

We will commence with that after a brief recess.

---SHORT RECESS

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. We were on Environment and Natural Resources. I’d like to ask the Minister if he has any witnesses he would like to bring in. Mr. Miltenberger.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I do. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Miltenberger. Does committee agree?

Sergeant-at-Arms, if you could please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

Minister Miltenberger, if you could be kind enough to introduce your witnesses for the record, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me Deputy Minister Ernie Campbell and director of finance and admin Susan Craig. Thank you.

Thank you. Ms. Craig, Mr. Campbell, welcome back to the House. Committee, we are on general comments. Mr. Blake.