Debates of March 2, 2005 (day 47)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister of RWED, Brendan Bell. Mr. Speaker, I heard on the reports that the communities may have a difficult time in terms of the National Energy Board or the Joint Review Panel in terms of the social impacts of the pipeline. I understand that the report is evidence-based in terms of the impacts of the pipeline. I wanted to ask the Minister of RWED is there anything that his department is doing in helping the communities get this information to the boards that gives them more weight on the impacts that pipeline would have on the communities in terms of the social impacts. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 523-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly apologize to the Member; I’m not aware of the specific report that the Member is speaking to. But let me say generally that we recognize that despite the fact that we consider this development boom to be a blessing and would much rather have employment than unemployment, we recognize that there are going to be challenges for communities with this level of employment. There will be, Mr. Speaker, and we can’t deny it. There will be social impacts that need to be mitigated. It’s important that communities are able to come to the table in the EIS process and make presentations, probably most specifically to the JRP environmental assessment. I think that’s the most appropriate vehicle as compared to the NEB, but able to articulate their concerns and make credible presentations. They need resources, Mr. Speaker, in order to be able to do that.

We continue to make the point to the federal government that they will reap the lion’s share of revenues from this development. They should be helping communities get to the table to intervene. However, as I’ve said, social envelope Ministers met this morning with our deputies to discuss a GNWT approach to bringing the federal government to the table on this issue. We want to lay out a strategy and a framework and invite the federal government to plug in and participate and fund part of that approach, because we think it’s that important. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 523-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the people in the small communities will appreciate the employment opportunities and also the business opportunities, but there will also be significant impacts even in the communities. However, the question I’m asking the Minister is that the communities need help in terms of putting together their presentations to articulate to the two panels, and the National Energy Board mentioned that they wouldn’t just go on opinion. So I’m asking what is this department going to do to help the communities articulate the social impacts of the Mackenzie gas pipeline. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 523-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Specifically to social impacts, which I think is really outside the NEB process, which will be focused more on technical issues, on tolling issues, those kinds of questions specific to social impacts, we want to work with communities. We are certainly going to find some dedicated resources to coordinate this government’s approach to that. I know that the social envelope Ministers are going to sit down, and one of the first steps is to take an inventory of programs and services currently available in communities and then to sit down and recognize that different communities will be challenged in different ways. Some are directly in the pipeline right-of-way. Others will see camps set up right on their doorsteps. So there are different levels of impact. We want to talk about that. We want to better predict, recognize and understand what those impacts will be. I think only then can we engage in a meaningful discussion and debate with communities about how we mitigate that, but part if this we'll certainly be discussing how we can help communities come to the table and participate in the CIS. As I’ve said, we believe the federal government has to be involved in this and is key, but we’re going to do what we can to bring them into the fold and ensure that they meet the commitments that they should rightfully be making. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 523-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, three communities in the Sahtu are going to be directly impacted by the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline. They are very afraid in terms of the social impacts. There is increased exploration activity in my region right now and we are seeing the impacts. We are also seeing the benefits. However, the people are really concerned about the social impacts in terms of family violence and alcohol. So again, Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister what specific things is his department going to do to ensure that people in the Sahtu will see some benefits in terms of participating in hearings and letting people know about the social impacts? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 523-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think one of the most important steps is to make sure communities registered as interveners in the JRPEA process and I think that that has been done. They are challenged though to have the resources to have meaningful involvement and that will be the real problem here. We also need to understand from communities exactly what their hopes and aspirations are in terms of benefits and opportunities, and we need to work that into our socioeconomic agreement negotiations with the producers. But I’ll certainly give the Member my commitment that, as lead Minister on this file, I’m working with the social envelope Ministers to ensure that we have an approach that we can sit down and articulate, and we will work with communities to better understand this issue and this challenge and help them better be prepared and equipped to represent their interests and aspirations and concerns, acknowledge their concerns through the EIS process as interveners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 523-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister inform us about the socioeconomic agreement? Does it have enough clout or teeth in terms of using it to benefit the communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 523-15(3): Social Impacts Of Pipeline Development

Yes, Mr. Speaker, we believe it’s the most effective tool. It will build on many of the access agreements that are being negotiated right now. I think it will fill gaps and it will provide some certainty for all NWT residents and all businesses, beneficiary and non-beneficiary in the NWT, and that they will, in fact, see tangible benefits and opportunities from this pipeline development. That’s important. We want to make sure that there are benefits that stay here in the North because that really is what will make this development worth it for the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.