Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Minister also talked about increases in travel. The travel budget, if you look further down on page 121, it is almost double back to 2017-2018. It is now $420,000. Even from last year, it was $170,000. That's a huge increase. Is this travel, then, related to trips to Ottawa and Cabinet having these open houses in various communities throughout the Northwest Territories? Is that what's happening here? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

That is correct, as well as government promotions in different sectors. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Is there any kind of a breakdown for how much is for trips to Ottawa versus travel within the NWT? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. These are costs that we have been trying to carry for the past three years, and every year we have exceeded the appropriation by an average of $344,000. We expect this to continue, if not increase, hence the addition to the main estimates. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. If there is that much over, why is there no difference, then, between the main and the revised estimates shown in the two middle columns, 2018-2019, for travel, or is this something that only shows up, then, in the public accounts? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Yes. Generally, the overages have been picked up by the departments which, in some cases, could possibly impact on delivering programs and services. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't have any further questions.

Thank you. Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Executive Council offices, operations expenditures summary, $4,281,000. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Please turn to the final activity, Indigenous and intergovernmental affairs. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I realize that this is not the budget of the Government of the Northwest Territories, but on the radio today, the NWT Metis Nation was referring to their issue with getting funding for negotiations, money that usually comes from the federal government. I am wondering if our government is involved, in some way, in supporting the Metis to work with the federal government to try to get the money for continued negotiations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We certainly work closely with the NWT Metis Nation. In addition to being one of the tripartite negotiators, we have committed to support the NWT Metis Nation in their efforts to get increased funding, not only for their land claim, but also their cost of negotiations.

I wouldn't say that we have given them advice, but we have talked to them about the size of negotiating teams. Obviously, the NWT Metis Nation will make their own decisions on what is most effective for them in their negotiations. We recognize that the federal government has made different promises, and one of the things that they are tightening up on is the cost of negotiations, even though they have made statements in the public that they are covering the costs of negotiations, and in some cases, they will reimburse them. I guess that is a long answer to your question. We are supportive, but, at the end of the day, it is a decision made by the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, could the Premier tell us if there is any such issue with the negotiations that involve the Akaitcho? Thank you.

Thank you. Premier.

Not that we are aware of, Mr. Chair. My understanding is that money is a constant issue in negotiations, and everybody could always use more money, I am sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.