Debates of May 15, 2007 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the past week and a half we have heard from the Premier in terms of a position that was taken by this government for aboriginal groups, the land claim groups, and the Northwest Territories Metis group have come together and signed the AIP with our territorial government. Just about an hour ago, I read a press release from the grand chief of the Dehcho, Mr. Herb Norwegian, on his comments and his views as to this AIP on the resource revenue sharing and devolution. Does this position taken by the grand chief hurt the AIP and resource revenue sharing deal and devolution by this government? I want to ask the Premier that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 87-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The short answer is no, this does not affect it at all. The four aboriginal organizations, governments, and our government have signed the deal and I think it sends a strong signal to Ottawa that if we work in solidarity on our positions and we want a share of those resource revenues as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 87-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly applaud the leadership of the Sahtu, the Gwich’in, the Inuvialuit and the Metis for taking a stand on this important issue that we’ve been talking about for so many years. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Premier, does the Premier have anything to report on the negotiations with the Tlicho and the Akaitcho? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 87-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m assuming the Member is referring to negotiations on an agreement-in-principle about the bigger issues or on land use and so on. But, Mr. Speaker, no, I don’t have anything specific to report. There was a briefing provided to the Akaitcho people last week, the Akaitcho leaders. The chiefs there, again, the same as with Dehcho, have taken a position that they would like to negotiate their own deal; they feel they can do better on their own. Certainly there is nothing that our government is doing to try to frustrate that. If they feel they can do better on their own, then I wish them well in doing that. At the same time, some of us have chosen the path of working as a team together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 87-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, as the Northwest Territories our regional government bodies have worked hard to support each other and to get the best deal they can for that time, of that time, within their region. I want to ask the Premier, did Chief Norwegian indicate any type of indication as to what type of terms that he would be willing to look at to make it acceptable for him to sign on to the resource revenue sharing and devolution agreement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 87-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For sure, I cannot speak for Grand Chief Herb Norwegian. I mean, I’m not 100 percent clear what the deal would be that he would find acceptable. Mr. Speaker, I can say that whenever we come to an agreement like this, there will always be people who feel that a better deal could have been gotten if we had done something differently. That’s always the case. My view is that this is a good deal. If it goes through from current agreement-in-principle status to final agreement, then I think this is a deal that gives us a lot more than what we’d get today, for sure. Is it the best deal that’s possible? Is it possible to get a better deal? Possibly. I don’t know. But all of us know that at some point we have to make a decision and move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 87-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Premier here in terms of the people in the Sahtu have signed on to this deal. I’ve spoken to the chairperson of the Sahtu Secretariat; they feel it’s a good deal. Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Premier, what is he giving in terms of reassurance to our people who signed on to this deal that this is a good deal for us? Let’s not sit around and sit on our hands and criticize other leaders for going and signing on. This is a good deal for the people in the Sahtu and I stand strongly to this signature. What will the Premier do to help people in the Sahtu in terms of Inuvialuit, the Gwich’in and the Metis Nation to say we’re going ahead and it’s a good deal?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 87-15(6): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-In-Principle

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I will never criticize those who choose to take a different path. That’s their choice and if they go along that path and find that they get a better deal, then, as I say, you know, good luck to them; I hope they can do it. Mr. Speaker, on the other hand, the arrangements, the agreement-in-principle we’ve signed with the three land claim groups and the Metis is one that is open and, at times, if people want to join on, they can join on and sign up too, if they choose to go that path.

Mr. Speaker, I’m going to continue working with those who have signed the deal on the basis of the deal, the agreement-in-principle we signed. I have already forwarded it to Minister Prentice. He wanted time to have a look at it and consider it. The next step, in my view, is to try to get a meeting between those leaders who have signed on and myself, a joint meeting with Minister Prentice and plan out the path to follow from here. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Prentice has indicated that he is sharing this with the federal negotiator, so I think it is moving a big step forward. Mr. Speaker, I got calls today, as well, from the leaders, expressing concern and saying, look, we’ve got to keep on moving here, we’re on this, it’s a good deal and let’s move forward, not stall.

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