Thank you, Minister. Deputy Minister.

Thank you. Member.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. I should also say that this is also a department that does lots of science and facts and things, as I said when I had other departments in front of me, so I like what I hear the deputy minister saying. I do understand what the Minister says about capacity at this time and such, but yes, I'm a firm believer that, the more we can get people from the South to pay for us and things that we need, why wouldn't we? More of a comment. I'm done. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member. I'll take that as a comment. Any further questions under the information items? Member for Frame Lake.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I think I ask this almost every budget: the Inuvialuit Water Board. This is, I know, some kind of artefact of devolution. They do good work; they've got good staff. Why are they kind of on our payroll? I know we get money from the federal government for this, but these folks should be independent of GNWT, like the other land and water boards. I just don't understand why this is here. They should be getting their own money outside of the budget. This is just kind of like the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority. It's another one of these instances where this was a federally funded institution of public government, and now it's for GNWT. What are we doing to make this board really independent and allow them to hire their own staff, look after their own budget, do all their own stuff, instead of us doing it? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

I can honestly say that I've been beside the Member for four years on the other side, and he has asked this question here. We've talked. We've looked at this, trying to find options there. The biggest challenge right now is our benefit package. When we were talking with the staff and that, that's the challenge. They don't want to lose the benefits, which will then have an impact on finding people to hire and that. We've had conversations with the chair. We've looked at it. They have a new chair. My understanding is that we're working with them on it. We would love to be able to do it, but at the same time, we don't want to cause undue stress to the staff who work there. For further clarity on some of the stuff that's being done on a day-to-day basis, or week-to-week or month-to-month, I will turn to the deputy minister. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Deputy Minister Kelly.

Thank you. Member.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I appreciate the level of detail that has been provided by the deputy minister. I am just worried that this may not happen in my lifetime. Look, I want to get these guys as independent as they possibly can, away from GNWT. I think that's a shared objective, but I really hope that we can make some progress before I pass away. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Does the Minister have any comments?

I hope he doesn't pass away for a long, long time. I like the guy. I appreciate his tenacity when it comes to working for the people. Hopefully, we can get it done sooner than later. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Any further questions under that information item? Seeing none, I will get Members to please return now to the departmental summary found on page 69. Environment and Natural Resources, operations expenditures, total department, 2021-2022 Main Estimates, $97,874,000. Does committee agree? Mr. Norn.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Consideration of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2021-2022 Main Estimates, operations expenditures, total department, is deferred. Does committee agree?

Thank you, Minister, and thank you to the witnesses for appearing before us. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Norn.

Madam Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress.

The motion is in order. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress. Thank you. Committee is now adjourned.

Sounds like everybody was having fun in Committee of the Whole today. May I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please? Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.