Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to rebut some of the comments made by the Premier over the last couple of days in regard to the devolution process.
Mr. Speaker, in the devolution process agreement-in-principle, a letter was handed or sent to aboriginal organizations around the Northwest Territories and asked them, basically, to respond and determine what their role and participation will be. Mr. Speaker, the Premier basically admitted that the Dene/Metis did not have...(inaudible)...basically were involved in the negotiations of the agreement-in-principle, but simply as observers.
Mr. Speaker, under the Gwich’in Land Claims Agreement, the Sahtu Lands Claim Agreement and the Tlicho Land Claims Agreement, it’s pretty clear. It states the government shall involve those aboriginal organizations in development and implementation of a Northern Accord oil and gas agreement, subject to the agreement signed September 8, 1988, which is the devolution agreement.
Again, Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard from five of the regional organizations, making it perfectly clear they have an issue with this agreement-in-principle. They have problems with that agreement. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, there was a letter sent to the Premier on April 19th from the Gwich’in Tribal Council -- and it was specifically sent by the president, it was sent by the tribal council -- which outlined six areas of concern in relation to the consultation process this government has been put into. All they ask is that they take into account these items, have discussions with the Premier and Aboriginal Affairs to relate the questions and find clarification on their issues. But again, seven months later, not a response from this government. We talk about inclusion of aboriginal organizations in the devolution process, but when groups raise questions and make issue of a particular issue, the government pushes them aside and says, sorry, we’ll deal with you later.
For me, the Constitution is clear that aboriginal treaty rights are constitutionally protected. The government has a right to abrogate or derogate any affects on those land claim agreements, treaty rights or aboriginal rights in Canada. Again, Mr. Speaker, it clearly underlines the reluctance of this government to hear the issue of our aboriginal so-called partners in this process, and simply push them aside…
Mr. Krutko, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Again, the aboriginal leaders are requesting a meeting with the Premier and the Minister of Indian Affairs to clarify exactly what the intention of this legislation is and what affects it will have in regard to the land claim agreements, treaty rights, and also clarify what the abrogation clauses are and exactly how are you going to remedy those situations where you have land claim agreements that clearly state that you shall consult, you shall include them in these processes, not simply saying, well, if you don’t respond, we’re kicking you off the table.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions to the Premier on this matter later. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
