David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to my Member’s statement, I talked about the regulatory process and the affect it has on land claims agreements. So my questions are probably better directed to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, under the McCrank report, page 14, which talks about any fundamental restructuring in regards to the agreement, all the parties to comprehensive land claims agreements, comprehensive land claims agreements are constitutionally protected and any amendments without the effective parties being in the agreement cannot be amended...

Question has been called.

---Carried

Does committee agree that we have concluded Committee Report 2-16(5)?

Are you making a motion, Mr. Hawkins?

Mr. Speaker, again, the aboriginal organizations want to ensure that they’re protecting the rights and their abilities that are recognized through the land claims agreements.

Mr. Speaker, Section 35 of the Canadian Constitutional specifically...(inaudible)...states that basically nothing by way of legislation changes can affect the land claim agreements. The rights are entrenched in those agreements and must be protected, upheld, and also the federal government has a fiduciary obligation to protect aboriginal rights and land claims agreements in regard to Section 35.

Mr. Speaker, I will be...

Question has been called.

---Carried

Mr. Hawkins.

Does committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There’s talk of changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act, and blowing up the boards, and making changes to the act and guidelines. By doing so, they’re stating it would not affect the land claims agreements. Mr. Speaker, I totally disagree. This is far from the truth, Mr. Speaker.

The land claims agreements were negotiated in such a way that the lands resources management act that is in place flowed from the land claims agreement in which it was enacted by the land claims organizations, the federal government, the Government of the Northwest Territories...

Question has been called.

---Carried

Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Tabled Document 62-16(5) has been tabled in this House;

AND WHEREAS Tabled Document 62-16(5), Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy, requires detailed consideration;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Tabled Document 62-16(5), Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Question has been called.

---Carried

Mr. Hawkins.