Public Accounts committee  We have mutually agreed with the Inuvialuit that the best way to go at this was by the communities. We will first look at each of the six communities—their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Then we will sit down with the Inuvialuit and jointly decide on the next step.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you for that question. As I said at the outset, the fact that there are differences between certain provisions or measures in the agreement troubles me greatly because that undermines our credibility at the negotiating table with other aboriginal groups. Having said that, we are making progress.

Public Accounts committee  That is a question you will have to ask the aboriginal groups. We are working closely with the coalition that represents all of these groups. I met with these people last December. We are trying to pursue an implementation policy together. We are complying with all of the obligations in each of our agreements.

Public Accounts committee  I can provide whatever documentation you ask for. We're trying to move forward. We have a settlement with Transport Canada on the airport strip in question. We think we have a tentative settlement with Parks Canada. I think part of the issue, and I talked to the Senate committee about that, is that it's 100% of Terry's job to chase the implementation of these obligations.

Public Accounts committee  It's a question you should put to them.

Public Accounts committee  We have ongoing correspondence and relationship with the Inuvialuit people.

Public Accounts committee  I would have to take issue with your characterization. An agreement is not on or off, fully implemented or fully not implemented. Parts of the agreement have been implemented, as the Auditor General noted, and parts of it have not, as we recognize.

Public Accounts committee  We have an ongoing relationship with the Inuvialuit people about issues within and outside the agreement. You can characterize them as complaints. There are a number of implementation issues and a number of government-to-government relationships with the Inuvialuit people. I'm not going to put words in their mouth as to how they would put it.

Public Accounts committee  The issues in question are the issues identified in the Auditor General's report, the six I listed in my opening statement.

Public Accounts committee  I'm not quite sure how to answer that. We have an ongoing relationship with the Inuvialuit leadership. Most of the agreement, in fact, takes on an ongoing government-to-government relationship with their lands corporation, their economic development corporation, and their political organizations, so they are constantly dealing with us with the issues facing the Inuvialuit communities.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the invitation to appear before the committee today. This is my third parliamentary committee appearance in about a month. I spoke recently to the Senate committee on aboriginal affairs on this very subject--the Inuvialuit agreement. I'm pleased to have the opportunity to address the findings and recommendations on implementation of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement contained in the Auditor General's October 2007 report.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think you should ask the commissioner of the coast guard what they're going to do with their new ship when it's delivered nine years from now.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, I have two very quick remarks. I don't want to hold you up. One, I am very conscious that we owe you some responses from our last appearance. I was horrified to find out that they hadn't been delivered yet. They will be in your hands before the end of the week.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  What $20 million?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We spend all of the grants and contributions dollars that Parliament gives us, right down to within a few hundred dollars. What I have is a series of votes, which are laid out for you in the estimates. I have an envelope of money to manage, which has to go toward making contributions to the first nations for the education systems, for paying tuition bills to neighbouring school boards, for child and family services, for water, for housing, for income assistance payments, and so on.