Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I spoke about the devolution earlier this afternoon and I talked about the impacts and probably some of the thoughts in the Northwest Territories. I want to ask the Premier in terms of this devolution deal here, that we have some communities out there, some Aboriginal governments that feel there should be stronger, more meaningful participation in this process. Basically what I’ve been told by some of my people is that the federal government has basically set the time and set the stage for the negotiations in saying the federal government was dictating the process: your team, my team, that’s it. That’s not good enough for the Aboriginal governments. Can the Premier help me understand how the Aboriginal governments can have more participation?
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess as part of this process that we’ve undertaken, as the Member may recall, when we all got together as Caucus and set the priorities for the 17th Assembly, one of the priorities was to conclude devolution negotiations and we are in the process of attempting to do so. Thank you.
I actually have a copy right here, and the Premier was right on the priorities. We also have a goal for a strong and independent North built on partnership, and if we don’t have those types of partnerships, how can we build a strong and independent North? We only have a few of the partners on board.
I want to ask the Premier, when they’re looking at the Devolution Agreement, is the Premier and this government going to look at a referendum where people will have a chance to say this is a good deal or not a deal we should be signing?
I don’t think one predicates the other. We’ve been working very hard for the past three months to establish better working relationships. Most of the Aboriginal governments that we’ve met, six out of seven have been very supportive, indicating they want to continue to develop a working relationship.
On the Devolution Agreement, we’re inviting all parties to participate and we’re making sure we keep them apprised of all of the progress or of any discussions that happen.
The Aboriginal governments want to have meaningful input at the negotiation table, rather than just being told this is what’s happening, this is how you can participate. Hence, we got the issue of the Gwich’in taking the territorial government to court. I’m not too sure how far we can have discussions on that, but that’s how our relationship has deteriorated with one of the Aboriginal governments that represent a number of communities such as the Gwich’in Tribal Council.
What costs, as the Legislative Assembly, are we willing to pay to put this deal to bed and say that’s it, this is the deal and this is how it’s going to be done? What are the costs to us?
I guess I’ll answer in a different perspective. The cost to us is it’s costing us $165,000 a day. Over the past five years we’ve seen $300 million flowing to the Government of Canada never to return. So we have a standing invitation to all of the Aboriginal governments to participate if they see fit to do so.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, money comes and money goes. Look at the relationship at a moral cost to us on a government-to-government relationship. Are we willing to pay that cost for some short-term gains for long-term damages?
It’s a heavy cost to this government here. We could use the money, but how bad are we willing to not mend some broken hearts between us and the Gwich’in Tribal Council? That cost is more important to me, so that’s what I want to ask the Premier: What will he do, what can this government do? When it comes to a final agreement, do people in the Northwest Territories have a say in saying yes, this is a good deal? Will we have a referendum?
We’ve been reaching out to all the Aboriginal governments and looking for comments on all of the major issues; devolution is one part of it. We have a basis for our relationship with all Aboriginal governments through land claim agreements and through self-government agreements, and we will continue to pursue those avenues.
As far as devolution, this is something we’ll continue to seek the support of Aboriginal governments and we will continue to provide all of the information that is available on devolution on a go-forward basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
