Bob McLeod

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Kam Lake, that Bill 11, Petroleum Resources Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill substantially mirrors the Canadian Petroleum Resources Act and coordinates with the requirements of the Northwest Territories Land and Resources Devolution Agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 11, Petroleum Resources Act, moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 27, 2014, I will move that Bill 13, Devolution Measures Act, be read for the first time.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 27, 2014, I will move that Bill 14, Waters Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member should be pleased that the MVRMA will continue as a public board. We are not taking it. They will still be making those decisions and putting forward recommendations. The responsible Ministers will be putting them into effect.

Mr. Speaker, later today, at the appropriate time, I will table Northern Lands, Northern Leadership: The Government of the Northwest Territories Land Use and Sustainability Framework. Completion of this document is a significant achievement and a major step in this government’s final preparations to assume new responsibilities for public lands, water and resources on April 1st.

The Land Use and Sustainability Framework establishes a policy foundation for the Government of the Northwest Territories as we assume our land management responsibilities after devolution. It is based on our years of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 10, Northwest Territories Lands Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill substantially mirrors the Territorial Lands Act of Canada in accordance with the requirements of the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Northern Lands, Northern Leadership, The GNWT Land Use and Sustainability Framework.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I said, the MVRMA, the board will be dealing with applications for development and so there is no power shift other than the fact that the responsible Ministers will change, and that’s part and parcel of mirror legislation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I’m not surprised the Member is already condemning devolution before it even occurs. It’s a month and a half away, and also, I would think he would support the fact that we’re reducing about 5,000 miles of red tape. It’s just mirror legislation, and I’m not sure what he’s referring to when he’s talking about a power grab.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 69(2) and have Bill 10, Northwest Territories Lands Act, moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted