Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Premier. Earlier today, in my statement, I talked about the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and the need to bring it home to the North. In 2014, we devolved the land, water, and resources to the Northwest Territories, but we didn't devolve the regulatory controls. I would like to ask the Premier: what are the biggest potential benefits of a review of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act from our government's point of view? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Essentially, the elements of the MVRMA within the devolution agreement are being reviewed. The potential benefits are all related to increased local decision-making, for example, items listed in 3.17 of the devolution agreement, including approval of issuance of Type A water licences, which a Member referred to in his Minister's statement, designation of inspectors and board-appointment decisions. For example, Aboriginal governments, such as the Tlicho, can appoint their own members, and our government cannot. This is an oversight that we intend to address, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you to the Premier for that reply. I would also like to ask the Premier what sort of research or let's call it preparation has our government done to get ready for the review of the federal MVRMA?
The Government of the Northwest Territories has been working within this regulatory system since the 1990s with both the federal government and Aboriginal governments. That was when the MVRMA first came into effect. We have continued to work within the system post-devolution. The federal review will ideally lead to further delegation of province-like authorities, and our system is ready to take on those authorities.
I think that is welcome commentary from the Premier. I would also like to ask what communication, in fact, has there been between our government and Canada with regards to the subject of reviewing the MVRMA?
I and the government have regularly communicated to federal leaders the importance of fulfilling these commitments set out in the devolution agreement. As a matter of fact, with the change in government four years ago, we made the suggestion that we should get rid of the five-year requirement and start the review right away, but there was some unfinished business with regards to some of the changes that were being proposed. We have waited until those were addressed satisfactorily.
The devolution agreement commits to the development of the terms of reference of the review after April 1, 2019. I am pleased to advise the Member that the Minister responsible for Northern Affairs has readily agreed to commence this review even earlier than what was provided for in the devolution agreement.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It seems as though there is more good news, and we are slowly making our way to full devolution, including having regulatory control here in the North. Mr. Speaker, what communication has there been between our government and Indigenous governments and industry in the NWT about potential review of the MVRMA? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We are in regular communications with Indigenous governments through the Intergovernmental Council. Obviously, they play an integral part in any of these decisions. The concerns that they had addressed when they went to court four years ago, I think that those are being addressed. I think I will be in a good position to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
