I am pleased to present the 2015-2016 Main Estimates for the Department of Lands. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $2.438 million, or 9 percent, over the 2014-2015 Main Estimates.

Highlights of the proposed estimates include:

• $2.8 million in new initiatives. These initiatives

are funded from the reserve set aside by this Assembly for devolution impacts identified after the 2014-2015 Main Estimates were considered by this Assembly. These initiatives include:

o

$1.006 million for the new liabilities and

financial assurances division to manage and coordinate the financial assurances for resource development projects to ensure that companies meet their obligations for environmental liabilities. We want this government to improve on the inherited federal system by developing and managing environmental liabilities and appropriate financial assurances through whole project assessment, in collaboration and coordination with GNWT regulatory departments and central agencies.

o

$133,000 for one new resource

management officer Ill position in the North Slave regional office for diamond mine inspections associated with the Gahcho Kue

Mine. Over 40 percent of the resources of this department are invested in land administration to ensure the lawful use of land and protection of this public asset. Key to that protection is our aggressive regional-based inspection and enforcement program, guided by a rigorous risk assessment tool. Our inspection program must be responsive to the growth in diamond and other mining sectors.

o

$694,000 for strategic investments to

support this Assembly's priority to diversify and help grow the economy, by establishing a Western Arctic Centre for Geomatics in Inuvik.

o

$290,000 for a coordinator and legal advisor to continue with the coordinating role for GNWT input into the federal Regulatory Improvement Initiative and the amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and to help ensure the NWT Surface Rights Board is established and operational by April 1, 2016. New regulations being contemplated under the act will be largely administered by this government through its new delegated authorities. A coordinated approach will maximize our influence in shaping the regulatory regime and help minimize our exposure to administrative burdens under new regulations. This work is planned for completion in the next three years.

o

$51,000 to respond to this government's

priority to provide French language communication and services;

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$456,000 to fund compensation and benefit impacts and transition allowances payable to some transferring federal employees under the terms of the Devolution Agreement; and

o

$557,000 for Collective Agreement

increases.

• This department held the line on expenditure

management with no forced growth other than Collective Agreement increases.

• We are further responding to the government's

fiscal pressures through ongoing reductions to the operating base totaling $297,000 and sunsets of $452,000 for onetime funding in support of our first year of operation.

The proposed estimates continue to support the priorities of the 17th Assembly. Specific activities in support of these priorities include:

• Significant progress since taking over the

management of public land in the Northwest Territories on April 1st . Over the last 10 months

we have been building our foundation, first-time filling our positions and amalgamating federal

and GNWT programs and services. We recognize the importance of our human resources. In support of the 17th Assembly's priority to invest in people, in our first nine months we have invested over $108,000 in training our staff.

• We have also made significant progress across

the department towards implementation and monitoring of the Land Use Sustainability Framework. We are developing policy frameworks for recreational land management and effective land use planning in all regions of our territory. We have continued to make progress on the implementation of the Surface Rights Board Act. We have conducted 600 inspections as of December 31st . We have done

this while providing advice and support to government-wide decision-making and departmental coordination for significant resource development and security reviews.

• The Western Arctic Centre for Geomatics will

capitalize on the investments this government is making in the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Link and on opportunities presented by the lnuvik Satellite Station Facility and space agencies to secure data and use remote sensing tools and technology for baseline monitoring.

• This department recognizes that this

government is only one partner in an integrated land management system. Land management decision-making must recognize and respect Aboriginal and treaty rights as well as third-party land interests and legal rights. We have begun to work with our stakeholders and Members in developing policies that meet the needs of all Northerners.

This government has made clear their interest and identified priorities for this department, and we are better positioned now to fulfill properly our mandate. I am committed to engaging with Members on a regular basis as we go forward and as we roll out these new initiatives.

This concludes my opening remarks. I look forward to Members’ comments and questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.