Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I do. I am here to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Lands. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $780,000 or 3.5 percent over the 2019-2020 Main Estimates. These estimates support our fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending while matching the modest expected revenue growth over the upcoming year.
Highlights of these proposed estimates include:
- Forced growth of just over $1 million for increases resulting from the UNW collective bargaining agreement;
- New funding of $63,000 for the land management parts of boreal caribou range planning which is fully offset by federal funding;
- Ongoing funding for the Wek'eezhii land use planning committee and planning office with $443,000 in 2020-2021;
- $105,000 in funding that is sunsetting this year for the agriculture strategy implementation initiative and the equity lease initiative; and
- Finally, reallocation of funding within the department to fund two strategic planning, reporting and evaluation positions in the Policy, Legislation and Communications division.
These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly, beginning with the development of a process guide for the bulk transfer of vacant Commissioner land within municipal boundaries. This is a mandate commitment under the priority to reduce the municipal funding gap.
We will also begin the development of regulations to bring the Public Land Act into force. This work will give us a more coherent and harmonized land administration system, which is important to investors in all sectors of the economy, as well as for public infrastructure development.
We will be continuing to address the transfer of equity leases to fee simple title, within community boundaries, in a way that is transparent, consistent, and considerate of the views of Indigenous governments. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Madam Chair.