Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So just turning back to the original line of questioning around this exception that was made for Cassidy Point: is the land where those leases reside settled territory? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

My understanding is that it's not in a settled area. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Testart.

Were consultations undertaken with the Indigenous nation that has a claim to that territory prior to that deal being done? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

I'm not sure which date the Member might be referring to. Is he referring to a consultation prior to the promise being made in the early 1990s or prior to properties actually being transferred? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Noting the clock, it is the latter; but I'll allow the Minister to answer. I want to make one more comment that, on this business of the honour of the Crown, the honour of the Crown, you need to be a Minister of the Crown to make a promise on behalf of the Crown, not a public servant. I don't think the Minister grasps that fully, but a Minister of the Crown can hold the honour of the Crown. That is how that happens. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

Thank you. No, I think that when a senior member of the government makes a promise of the type made, that we are honour-bound to fulfill that promise. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Members, let's please keep this to the budget, to the page, not case law or anything. Next, we have Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I'll try to look forward and not backwards. So, with that, we still have the problem of equity leases, a number of outstanding equity lease issues that are spread throughout the territory. The Department of Lands outlined in their business plan that there were going to be three new positions dedicated to this. Can the Minister give clarification? What is the status as it relates to the positions that are going to be addressing the equity leases throughout the territory? Because, again, we're looking to approve a budget here with current numbers that are presented before us today; and so I want to make sure that, for the record, we're being accurate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's a little difficult to answer that because I think there's been some back and forth, if I can put it that way, as to these positions. The point being is that we are determined to resolve this matter, and I understand that one of the concerns of committee is that they want it resolved sooner rather than later. I think we basically agree with that. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Like we've had to do a couple of times, already through these budget deliberations, and anticipating that we want to move forward and approve these budgets, I think it's incumbent upon the Ministers of the departments to realize what it is that needs to be presented. I mean, we're expected here today to approve a budget. As the Minister alluded to, there might have been, call it, back and forth, but I want clarity on the positions that we are trying to support to overcome this challenge of equity leases.

Would the Minister be in a position today to please clarify for us how many positions are expected to be approved in 2018-2019? Whether or not it requires supplementary approval somewhere down the road, we need clarification on how many positions are being approved to help address the equity leases. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister Sebert.

Thank you. As I mentioned previously, there has been some back and forth to resolve this issue, and I think that there was agreement that there would be five positions involved. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that, and I appreciate the clarity from the Minister. Further to that, can the Minister please provide some detail as to where those positions would be located? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Minister Sebert.

Yes, if I might defer that question to Mr. Willard Hagen?