Thank you, Mr. Testart. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We see MACA as providing community services and working with communities, and we feel that the NGO Stabilization Fund is best situated at MACA. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Mr. Testart.

Okay, does the Premier believe that this fund promotes volunteerism? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I said MACA deals with volunteerism. I think this fund primarily promotes community services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Mr. Testart.

Okay, thank you. I acknowledge the Premier's response, and I understand that this fund is not moving during his tenure as Premier. I think that's a shame, because Members on the standing committee have made numerous requests that this funding be moved and increased, and that has not happened. It's constantly over-subscribed. Assessments of the funding over the past, I think, 10 years have shown that it's underfunded. We need around $500,000 in the fund; we haven't seen any increases to that. Again, it's not helping promote volunteerism, which seems at odds with the Department of Community and Municipal Affairs' goals. I'll accept what the Premier is saying, but expect further advocacy on this NGO Stabilization Fund moving forward because it does not belong in MACA, and Members have been very clear on that. With that, I have nothing further. Thank you.

I thank the Member for his comments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Further questions? Ms. Green, then Mr. O'Reilly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, could the Minister please give us an overview of the responsibilities of the new deputy secretary for federal engagement? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As the Member knows, with this new federal government, there have been certainly increased interactions at all levels, and with a lot more of the work being done in Ottawa. There's been a substantial increase in what we call FPTs, or federal-provincial-territorial meetings. Specifically, the deputy secretary will provide strategic advice to the Premiers, Ministers, secretary to Cabinet, and deputy ministers on an engagement that the federal government aim at achieving the Government of the Northwest Territories' key objectives; lead the development of an updated, strategic, collaborative, and cohesive, all-of-government approach to the Government of the Northwest Territories' relationships with Ottawa, with the aim of advancing the Government of the Northwest Territories' key objectives at achieving mandate priorities; coordinate the Government of the Northwest Territories' engagement with the federal government and provide, particularly at the deputy minister and Ministerial levels on mandate priorities, regular reports to Cabinet and standing committees, as required, on effort and results achieved; represent the Government of the Northwest Territories on key files with senior federal officials, for example, discussions regarding new fiscal arrangements with Indigenous peoples; provide strategic advice, intelligence, insight, and information on federal priorities and actions that may affect the Northwest Territories; lead the design and delivery of research, education, and other activities that will increase the awareness and understanding by Canada of the unique context, issues, and opportunities that exist in the Northwest Territories.

I should add that there are still some outstanding issues with regard to devolution and, certainly, when we met with Minister Philpott and Minister Bennett, there will be substantial work involved with working with Aboriginal governments and the federal government, as they look at improving the areas of delivering programs and services; and it's incumbent on us to work with the Indigenous governments to make sure that they are able to access all of the funds that they are entitled to, and that they do not miss out. Also, we'll work with them to enhance their ability and enhance their access to resources. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Ms. Green.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, can the Minister please confirm that just one person is being hired for this role? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Premier McLeod.

Yes, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Ms. Green.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, we have departments in this government that have 30 people to cover the range of tasks that are described as the responsibility of this one individual. So can the Minister please tell us, of all those tasks that he just outlined, what the priorities are? What are the top two priorities of the person in this role? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Green. Premier McLeod.

I'd say the top priority would be to represent the Government of the Northwest Territories in key files with senior federal officials, for example, discussions regarding new fiscal relationships with Indigenous people; and lead the development in an updated, strategic, collaborative, and cohesive, all-of-government approach to the Government of the Northwest Territories' relationships with Ottawa, with the aim of advancing the Government of the Northwest Territories' key objectives and achieving mandate priorities, amongst others. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Ms. Green.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I had the impression that one of the tasks of this office and one that would be very important is to do any problem solving around the flow of money from federal government's infrastructure pot, this $600 million that is coming to the GNWT in the next 10 years. Is this a task that this office is going to undertake and on a priority basis? Thank you.