Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know that they're started. I'm not sure if they're completed, though. For that, I'll turn it to the deputy minister to expand on that. I know that we're also doing more work to -- because the job descriptions where similar training is happening, and then we're still looking for -- to identify from staff on what they see as issues. So the work is still ongoing. But as for if it's all completed, I'd like to turn it to the deputy minister.

Deputy minister.

Thank you. Member.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, this mandate didn't address moving positions. However, in saying that, I think Members are aware that the Minister of HR/Finance did release that people that are working at headquarters in Yellowknife, if their jobs allow they will be allowed to move into smaller communities outside of Yellowknife to be able to do their work if their job allows that to happen. And it's a one-way street. It does not -- people from the smaller communities that were -- communities outside of Yellowknife are not allowed to move in to Yellowknife to do their job. But I think that's a progressive move in -- in trying to attract people to outside of the Yellowknife as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Are there any further questions on increased regional decision-making authority?

Seeing none, Committee, we will move to page 27, reduce the municipal funding gap. Questions? Mr. Johnson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. One of the goals here is to refine the funding model to ensure continued fairness and transparency. And I know this work is, you know, actually on track, and I'm happy to hear that but I find it a little ridiculous that we're going to ensure transparency when the department refuses to publish how much we actually give specific communities. So there's no way for anyone to know whether their community is overfunded or underfunded. And I know the Minister of MACA has refused to answer that question. So my question is once we are done and we have a new funding formula, will we publish specific community breakdowns going forward? Thank you.

Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to defer that to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Thompson.

Thank you. We will look at it. And we will not make a promise but we will look at it. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Johnson.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. And I think the other big fight with this one is that it -- there's -- they're reducing the gap by $5 million was initially interpreted to be reducing $5 million considering the way the formula works in total, so adjusting for inflation or, you know, the increased costs as the formula takes. It seems now Cabinet has switched to not be that target.

My question is, can we get an update on what the actual amount the funding gap will be reduced by. You know, adding $5 million to it if it -- if inflation went up by $5 million will actually be zero dollars. So we don't seem to be publishing by community and we don't seem to be publishing the actual closing of the gap. So can I get a commitment that we will publish what the gap will actually be closed by adding $5 million? Thank you.

Premier.

Thank you. Mr. Chair, I think that that will have to be something that we'll have to work with the -- couple of departments on. I don't think it's as easy as just making a commitment right here. It's really hard to tell. The commitment is to be able to address the -- reduce the municipal funding gap by $5 million. That was a decision made in the House. However, the Member's right. I mean, inflation hits, cost of living and, you know, things change all the time with communities so we won't know if -- if it's really affected that or not. We don't even know if that -- if the amount that was originally said was the gap is the real gap because as soon as you do that research, it's outdated. So what I can commit to is that we'll have that discussion at Cabinet and -- or in Finance I guess, and we'll get back to Members on that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Ms. Nokleby.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just looking at the line item where it says that MACA is going to provide new opportunities for the own source revenue through the transfer of lands to community governments. It's the last one on page 27. I'm just curious to know if we have a measurable amount of actual land transfer. Has this actually happened? Is this just talking about it at this stage?

I note that in the next part of this, it's talking about the tool being developed by the -- by April of 2023, which makes me concerned we wouldn't be transferring lands until that time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Premier.

Mr. Chair, I'd like to defer that to the Minister of Lands, please, Mr. Thompson.

Mr. Thompson.

Yeah, thank you. Yeah, so we've developed the tool. It has gone to the City of Yellowknife. They have it, approved it, and adapted it. We're working with them. When we talk to them about doing transfers of land, it's very specific to certain areas and certain things. So it's not one big bulk transfer. We were doing it -- working with them to do it -- I don't want to call it piecemeal but to do it as they feel comfortable taking on different tasks and what they need their land for.

We've also taken that very tool and given it to NWTAC and which will allow them to get feedback to their membership -- from their membership moving forward. We do have a number of projects on the go that we are looking at doing that from this -- bigger centres as of Yellowknife as -- into the small ones as of Enterprise. Thank you.