Statements in Debates
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was going to suggest that maybe we had a job shadowing opportunity for Mr. Bromley with a strategic analyst, but through you I’ll ask Mr. Warren to answer Bureau of Statistics question.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. To date we have three Aboriginal governments that have agreed to negotiate a Devolution Final Agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada. We are in discussions with the Tlicho. We offered and we hosted a Dehcho leadership meeting which, unfortunately, we were unable to attend because of weather conditions. We have since agreed to continue talking on some matters that are important to both of our governments.
Similarly, we had an agreed upon meeting with the Akaitcho which was, unfortunately, cancelled because of the death of...
It appears the Member opposite has a tendency for hyperbole. We are very knowledgeable of what’s going on with the Fisheries Act. Our Minister of ENR has written to the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to get more detail on the proposed changes and to see what implications it has for the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have not written to the Prime Minister on this.
Madam Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories shares Canada’s objective of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Northwest Territories regulatory system and one only needs to look at how long it took for the Mackenzie pipeline to obtain regulatory approval. We know how important it is to have a regulatory system that protects the environment while supporting economic development but providing certainty to industry.
As far as the Government of Canada being receptive to what we are proposing, we are looking at making appointments and also protecting the administrative...
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The advantages of one over the other is with delegated authority, we can assume responsibility very quickly; with the mirror legislation, it would take more time. So it’s a question of time and control. Thank you.
I recall the Detah meeting with all seven Aboriginal government leaders and Caucus. I think everybody there felt it was a very productive meeting and there was general agreement that we would have a follow-up meeting. We have attempted to do so but we haven’t been able to get an indication of a critical mass of Aboriginal leaders in attendance.
As you indicated in your Member’s statement, we are now into the annual general meeting summer season, so we are quite prepared to meet, probably in the fall sometime.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’ll be very pleased to share the information that we receive, like we always do, with the other side. We are also paying very close attention to Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 related to responsible economic development. I am led to understand that there are some people that have some concerns with what the federal government is proposing.
As the Member indicated, we are participating in these negotiations and we do have representation. I will discuss with the Minister responsible and I’m prepared to write to the Prime Minister.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s opinion on the federal government actions. Adversely the federal government is saying that they are making the process more effective and efficient. They’ll be providing for protection of the environment, improving the protection of the environment and also providing for Aboriginal participation. So I guess we’ll have to look into the details more and square the differences between the Member’s opinions and the federal government information. Thank you.