Thank you. Operations, beginning on page 304, with information items on page 306. Member for Hay River South.

No questions, no. Yes, just back to the agricultural opportunities, I guess my concern is that we have an agricultural strategy in place but we have no land available to actually do anything, especially in the South Slave and the Deh Cho area. I am wondering if there is anything that this department can do to make lands available for agricultural use. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Madam Chair. There is a process, and you apply for it through commercial lease of lot. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The other one of the concerns that people had was that, like, I am not quite sure what the cost of the commercial lease would be, but would it equate to what it would be for an agricultural lease in Alberta, say? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Lands.

I don't know the comparison, if it's compared to Alberta, but we do have a process that puts a value to the land for the lease. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Hay River South.

If the Minister could make that information available to me in writing. One of the concerns is that the cost of the lease is disproportionate to what it is in with agricultural leases in Alberta, and the portions of land that they're looking for is smaller as well here in the territories. I'd just ask the Minister if he would take a look at the comparison and come up with a number that is realistic for the use of the land. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Lands.

Quite simply: yes, we're looking into it. One of the concerns that we had, but again, it's through the appraisal process. Yes, we're looking into it. It's part of one of the processes that, when I came on, we discussed this, and we are looking at that as part of our regulations. We'll report. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank the Minister for the answer, and that's all the questions I have. Thank you.

Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Madam Chair. I think the plan is for the department to amalgamate the Commissioner's lands with the territorial lands. Presently, I believe the Commissioner's lands are administered by the municipalities. The territorial lands would be by the GNWT. I could be wrong on that, but you can correct me. When you do the amalgamation there, I am wondering what the picture is looking like for the municipalities, whether they're going to control all these lands, or is it the territorial government that's going to control all these lands? I'll just start with that. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Madam Chair. First, the NWT lands and the Commissioner's lands are managed by the Government of the Northwest Territories, so all we're doing is we're trying to have consistency by amalgamating NWT land and Commissioner's land. We've had some huge differences and some challenges out there, so we're trying to move it forward. We will also be working with the municipal governments where possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Deh Cho.

It sounds like the GNWT will be administering and approving all lands applications. Is that what you're saying? Mahsi.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Lands.

Thank you. Yes, the Government of the Northwest Territories does manage the Commissioner's and NWT lands, or the amalgamation of it, and we work in consultation with the municipal governments. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Deh Cho.

I don't know. Maybe it's happening already, but do the municipalities get a share of any fees that are charged on the lands? Mahsi?