Debates of March 29, 2004 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my statement today, I spoke about the tremendous oil and gas development in the Sahtu. I explained how much our people need help in negotiating with the oil and gas companies in forming joint ventures and assessing and creating opportunities so that we can build that pipeline and get all the benefits we can from exploration and development. Will our Minister commit to working with the organizations in the Sahtu to determine what assistance they need in negotiations and how the department can assist them and when? Minister of RWED.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 98-15(3): Assisting Oil And Gas Development In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly we recognize, as a government, the need to work with regional organizations and be supportive. The Member, in his statement, discussed the job opportunities that will flow from pipeline development. I think that is just the tip of the iceberg. The minute we have a pipeline, we have a conduit for gas to markets in the South. I think that we are going to just see an explosion in terms of activity. It is important that we are ready for it.

We have regional petroleum advisors as our eyes and ears on the ground who work with negotiations, but I will acknowledge that I think past governments haven’t paid enough attention to this very important file. We need to make sure that resources do flow. That is why I am particularly excited and encouraged that we are seeking to create a joint Member and Cabinet Member committee to address these issues and provide strategic advice and let us know where we can make improvements in terms of government programs and services.

The other point that I would make, I guess, is that there is quite a bit of federal help and federal resources available, but it is a matter of us working with the federal government to coordinate our approach and making sure that local communities and organizations can tap into these resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 98-15(3): Assisting Oil And Gas Development In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to hear about the initiative of the joint committee on oil and gas. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to working with the organizations in the Sahtu to determine the assistance they need in forming joint ventures and how he can assist and when?

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 98-15(3): Assisting Oil And Gas Development In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, again, I think that this is certainly the role of the department. We need to focus as much attention on this as possible to make sure that the business opportunities do accrue to northerners. I had a chance to meet with the Petroleum Services Association of Canada. I had an interesting discussion. It was enlightening for me to know that many of the business opportunities, many of the employment opportunities, likely won’t flow directly from the Producer’s Group and will be subcontracted to these service organizations. It is important that we work closely with them to understand their needs.

I did make a point that we learned from our experience with mining companies. The most successful business approach was meaningful joint venture, not store-front companies; not paying lip service, but meaningful partnerships. These folks acknowledged that that was their intention as well. I look forward to building on this and building on that initiative. We have a lot of work to do. Certainly, my department will coordinate with other government departments; with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in terms of training and also with the federal government in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 98-15(3): Assisting Oil And Gas Development In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, also, would the Minister consider looking at the land claims agreements in the Sahtu region, where economic measures is a chapter that is being negotiated. It has been 10 years since the land claims were settled and to see how the people of the Sahtu region could benefit from that negotiated chapter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 98-15(3): Assisting Oil And Gas Development In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think, certainly, the work that we will do as a joint committee -- I know the discussion we have had around the terms of reference acknowledges and makes this point very clear -- with our programs and services have to recognize the commitments that have been made, particularly by our government, in land claims agreements and also hold the federal government to the same test. The Auditor General recently reviewed some implementation agreements in terms of land claims and I think offered a fairly scathing review of implementation. It is important that, when the rubber hits the road, these land claims agreements are adhered to, are fully supported and our programming and services, we will go in lock step with those commitments that we have made. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 98-15(3): Assisting Oil And Gas Development In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister, for one of the biggest forces in getting the pipeline off the ground and working through the Mackenzie Valley, the Treaty needs of the people in the local communities in the regions. The Minister informed the House as to what steps he will take with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in terms of assessing the Treaty rights in their regions. Thank you.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 98-15(3): Assisting Oil And Gas Development In The Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think a good first step was the creation of the maximizing northern employment program, and the 14th Assembly got that work underway. I think the nature of many of the employment opportunities that will flow from this development is very technical. It will require a fair deal of education and training. We recognize that. We acknowledge that, and we know that we have a challenge on our hands. Some of the work may be sporadic in terms of construction. We think there is ongoing work in exploration and other opportunities.

It may be the case that, as we train people, after taking advantage of these opportunities, they will become more transient and move around the world to utilize their new expertise. I think that would be a good problem to have, Mr. Speaker. I have had discussions with my colleague, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. This, certainly, is one of the greatest hurdles and greatest challenges on the horizon. If we don’t adequately build a capacity and aren’t able to train our people, we can be assured of one thing. That is that the jobs will flow to southerners. I don’t think that is acceptable. Thank you.