Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During my Member’s statement I talked about home rule as an initiative that could be launched by this territory to demonstrate that our rightful place deserves to be taken within Canada.
My questions go to the Premier of this House. Would the Premier move forward on an initiative that demonstrates that the territorial government is in charge of its own affairs by moving forward on home rule legislation?
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The Hon. Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m not familiar with this home rule concept the Member has raised. In our jurisdiction, as we’ve been working through the process with the federal government and with aboriginal governments and organizations trying to bring more authority here, what we have started doing in this Assembly is, in fact, occupying some of the areas that some would say have legislated authority within the federal government. We believe we have the moral authority to govern in certain areas, and that’s why, for example, the Managing This Land Strategic Initiative will play a very important role as we progress down this path of devolution resource-revenue sharing.
Moral authority doesn’t bring home the money, I’m sorry to say. The fact is that we need to go beyond moral authority to be in charge of our land, our water and our regulatory system. That’s what I’m talking about.
Would the Premier consider looking at a home rule act that prescribes that the territorial government is in charge of these lands with a relationship built with aboriginal governments? We could use that to build a case with the Prime Minister and the other provinces that we deserve the same rights as the provinces have in Canada. Would he do that?
This causes me to think of the movie Braveheart. Maybe we have a new Member with a nickname here.
The fact is that we have engaged with the federal government and aboriginal governments and organizations to go down the path of devolution resource-revenue sharing. We continue to do that. We continue to work with the federal government to secure the resources, to keep them in the North, and we will look at other alternatives if that process doesn’t work. The new relationship we’re starting to establish — or enhancing the relationships — with aboriginal governments is that we are meeting with them four times a year and bilaterally once a year with each of their groups of leaders within their regions. We’re enhancing that process to try and strengthen our position to come with a position from the North and have the federal government engage.
We know the federal government is prepared to move on this. It’s a matter of what’s the best solution. The fact is that we also know that the federal government is not prepared to treat us differently than other jurisdictions, that being provinces. What we’re starting to work on is coming up with the fact that there needs to be recognition of some differences within the Northwest Territories and territories overall.
We don’t need to recognize any differences, because this territory should have equal standing with every other province, and anyone who’s negotiating down from that would be selling us out. The fact is that the best solution would be an act to describe our position in Canada which is full partnership. When John A. Macdonald went out with his crew to negotiate with Britain about Canada having its own autonomy, it didn’t take 30 or 40 years like this devolution agreement. Even those folks who signed the Constitution and were branded as traitors in the United States were later regaled as heroes. It’s time we carve our place in history.
Would this Premier carve our place in history by launching an act that demonstrates that our ability and our position in Canada needs to be a partnership by legislation that demonstrates home rule can be achieved?
In the area of new legislation one of the things we have to do as a government is look at the area of authority that we have when it comes to legislation. We have to also recognize the Constitution of Canada and the process involved to have our jurisdiction status changed. As well, we know that sometimes we have to be careful what we ask for. If we ask for status, for example, to be equal to a province, there are some other issues we will have to deal with as residents of the Northwest Territories. So it’s more than just saying, “Stand up and enact something.” In fact, we must do the proper research and see what the best avenue is to take.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The courage of Danny Williams, the Premier of Newfoundland, is legendary. That’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for that courage. I’m looking for the lion to find his heart, to get out there and claw away at that federal government, saying, “We deserve our right and place in Canada.” I’m just talking about a constitution that demonstrates….
Question, Mr. Hawkins.
Would the Premier take steps to work toward enacting a home-rule law? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, for a lot of years we worked in partnership in the North, coming up with a process that we’re familiar with and understand, working with the federal government to draw down authority to the Government of the Northwest Territories and aboriginal governments and organizations across the territory. We will continue with that work. If Members feel there are other options out there, we’d be prepared to look at those.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
