Joe Handley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a very complex process, but I’ll try to be brief. First of all, devolution means the transfer of responsibility for land and resources from the federal government to the territorial and aboriginal governments. It is a trilateral process now, meaning there’s a three-way negotiation between the Aboriginal Summit representing the aboriginal governments, our government and the federal government. So it’s a process that if successful would mean that between ourselves and aboriginal governments we would have the same authority and responsibility as does a province.

On the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Intergovernmental Forum has not met since last spring when we had our meeting in Inuvik. At that time, the then-Minister of DIAND, Robert Nault, asked that a framework agreement -- basically a process document that would outline how negotiations would proceed -- be prepared and be signed. Over the summer, that document was prepared and, in fact, it was initialed off, I believe, by all or at least most of the aboriginal leadership and also by our government.

The Intergovernmental Forum meeting in the fall was postponed and the framework agreement is now waiting for...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think all of the MLAs are now aware of this issue. If there are any questions, I certainly invite you to talk to me or talk to the Minister of Justice. Our door is open, we welcome you to come and discuss it with us. When I met in Hay River, the concerns were raised. At that meeting, I also invited people to provide me with information. I gave them a summary of the information I had and asked that if they felt it wasn't correct, then provide me with the other side as well. So the door is open for Members to approach us with more information, better information...

Mr. Speaker, any decision requires a lot of consultation and discussion. I think over the last days since our government was elected, we've had a lot of discussions and I think a lot of topics were dealt with. We certainly want to continue with that kind of consultation. In arriving at a decision, then we will work very closely with committee. We will bring the information we have, we will listen to what the concerns are and then we will proceed. In the end, a decision has to be made and I think that in the end, it will fall to us as a government to make that final decision after the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d also like to recognize two constituents. First of all, Major Karen Hoeft with the Salvation Army and a constituent; also Pierre LeBlanc with Canadian Diamond Consultants and one of my constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the passing of Dennie Lennie of Inuvik. Dennie was a highly respected northerner, a person who contributed to the development of the Northwest Territories in many ways.

Dennie was an active member of the NWT business community as the owner of Arctic Esso in Inuvik.

Dennie was very active in the Inuvialuit organizations where he served in a variety of capacities. For the past 10 years, Dennie served as chair and chief executive officer of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, one of the most successful aboriginal business corporations in Canada. He...

Mr. Speaker, our government and aboriginal governments have been talking about devolution for more than 17 years. We don’t want to be seeing that process just continuing on for another four years under our watch. We want to see some process made on that. So would I consider any other alternative? I like the trilateral model. That’s the way to do business: government to government to government. But if there is not an interest in pursuing devolution by the federal government or by any other partners, then we have to look at some other model. Right now I’m optimistic that the federal government...

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of DIAND was going to be in Yellowknife this week, but other priorities got in the way so he has postponed. I don’t have a date yet of when I’ll be able to meet with him. If it’s not soon, then I intend to talk with him by phone. Mr. Speaker, as well, there is a possibility of a First Ministers meeting in Ottawa next week, and if there is I certainly intend to be there and intend to raise this issue with the Prime Minister at that time. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, yes, we will. I listened very carefully in Hay River last week. I listened very carefully to the Member’s statement today. If there’s other information, I welcome that as well. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I had a good meeting in Hay River last week with the mayor and some council and MLAs from Hay River. This issue was raised at that meeting. I committed to making sure we have all of the information, the best information available to us in making this decision. A paper will be brought to Cabinet by the Minister of Justice, and at that point we'll look at the information and Cabinet will make a decision at that time. Thank you.