Bob McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We were participants in the negotiation of land claim agreements and we certainly stand by what was negotiated. The Devolution Final Agreement provides for non-abrogation of treaties or land claims. We have that language throughout the Devolution Final Agreement where there will be no negative impacts on those areas. Where or if it ever happens then what’s in the land claim would trump what’s in the Devolution Agreement. Thank you.

If ratified by the parties, a signing ceremony will be held possibly this summer of 2014 or maybe sooner. We see an effective date for the final agreement occurring in 2016. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to recognize all GNWT employees who worked on the devolution file that are here in the gallery. There are too many to name, but I’ll ask them to stand up and be recognized and also accept our thanks. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that Bill 16, Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 14, Waters Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to thank the Member for his comments. It is something new and we think it’s going to work very well and benefit all of the people that we all represent.

Further to that, Madam Chair, Bills 16 and 17 were not finalized until a couple of weeks ago. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my immediate right is Martin Goldney, deputy minister, Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations; to my far right I have Thomas Druyan, legislative counsel, Department of Justice; and to my left is Jamie Fulford, legal counsel, Department of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. To my right I have Thomas Druyan, legislative counsel, Department of Justice. To my left I have Jamie Fulford, legal counsel with the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to Bill 16, Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management Act. The introduction of this bill is an important step towards implementing the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement, and fulfilling the commitment made to reflect our Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management in legislation.

The Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management is described in Chapter 4 of the Devolution Agreement, as an agreement that “sets out a government-to...