Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the 2018-2019 Main Estimates for the Department of Lands. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $1,447,000, or 5 per cent over the 2017-2018 Main Estimates.
Highlights of the proposed estimates include initiative funding of $1,451,000; forced growth totalling $480,000, sunsets of $215,000, and a reduction of $116,000. Our estimates include one-time funding of $558,000 in 2018-2019 to lay the groundwork to develop an approach to manage untenured and unauthorized occupancy of public lands. This funding includes two one-year term positions.
Our estimates include funding to address the long-standing issue of equity leases.
Our estimates include ongoing funding of $250,000 to support the building of land use planning capacity and will also fund one new senior land use planner position.
The main estimates include $150,000 in 2018-2019 to support the GNWT Agriculture Strategy Implementation initiative being led by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
These estimates also include forced growth of $360,000 for TSC chargebacks and $120,000 for software, licensing, maintenance, and support costs.
The Department of Lands will be moving forward with full implementation of the Western Arctic Centre for Geomatics in Inuvik, 2018-2019.
We have one sunset of $250,000 for a business consultant. This position was approved for a three-year term beginning in 2015-2016 to support the establishment of the Western Arctic Centre for Geomatics.
The department's spending in 2018-2019 continues to support the mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly. We continue to assess our resources to ensure we are effectively managing programs and services, and that our approach to management and administration of public lands reflects the interests of the people of the Northwest Territories.
This concludes my opening remarks. I look forward to Members' comments and questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.