Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Our assessment of the state of the economy is that we're going to be working through this recession and economic downturn for some time. We have a borrowing limit that's partially subscribed to. We are anticipating that we're going to carefully manage the fact that we have to go into some debt here on what we see as a short-term basis.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The expectation is that as part of devolution we would have the authority over land that we currently don't have and more say over what happens with resource development, the impact on the ecosystems. Right now we have some say. There are gaps in the regulatory regimes; there are gaps in the policies.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's nearly $1 billion, combined capital and O and M. Our total budget is about $1.3 billion.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, I don't have the overall number—there are hundreds and hundreds of sites—but it's substantive. In Yellowknife alone, with a Giant mine, I think the federal government investment was about $300 million or so.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I guess there are two things. The first point is that they're trying to repair extensive damage to the environment that resulted on their land, usually with very minimal involvement from the owners of the land at the time. There would be opportunities, as there have been with some of the mines, if they have the technical expertise.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's probably going to be more than that by the time they finish just that one site.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Not necessarily. It could be, but it depends.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We've taken the whole process through our cabinet. Environment and Natural Resources has the lead, and we've been working very closely with INAC and the aboriginal governments.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Yes.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I can tell you that as a jurisdiction we have been very successful working with the federal government. Our capital program for the year we're still in was about $700 million, which is the single largest capital plan in our history. The one coming up next year is going to be probably the second largest, and it's because we've been able to partner up and cost share with the infrastructure money--

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  A significant portion of that has gone directly to communities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The diamond mines, as Mr. Vician pointed out, have been a key engine for us. The regime we work under to have them established is the one that we've just been talking about. We are a player in that, but we don't control a lot of the levers. Overall, the diamond mines, compared to some of the history we've had with some of the gold mines and such, are seen as very progressive.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We're here today talking about an issue that to most of you is possibly a political or academic discussion, because this is something you've never had to fight for. The premier and I have now been at this table or these types of tables going on 15 years, pushing and fighting for devolution and resource revenue sharing.