Debates of January 20, 2004 (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier and they are with respect to the issue of devolution, which I referred to in my Member’s statement, and some comments that he had made.

Mr. Speaker, we have a new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. We have a new Prime Minister. Everyone, I think, in the territory agrees that devolution and discussions with Ottawa and with our aboriginal governments and partner governments is a very critical thing. I’d like to ask Mr. Handley for an update on the status of the work of the Intergovernmental Forum and the devolution framework agreement. Thank you.

Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 8-15(2): Update On Intergovernmental Forum And Devolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Intergovernmental Forum has not met since last spring when we had our meeting in Inuvik. At that time, the then-Minister of DIAND, Robert Nault, asked that a framework agreement -- basically a process document that would outline how negotiations would proceed -- be prepared and be signed. Over the summer, that document was prepared and, in fact, it was initialed off, I believe, by all or at least most of the aboriginal leadership and also by our government.

The Intergovernmental Forum meeting in the fall was postponed and the framework agreement is now waiting for signature by all of the participants. I believe four of the aboriginal leaders who are leaders of the economic forum have already signed, and others have indicated that they are considering it. I expect we will have six out of seven of the aboriginal leaders willing to sign, with some negotiations yet to be completed. So that document is proceeding.

I had some brief discussions with the Minister of DIAND, Andy Mitchell, last week. He indicates to me that devolution is still very much a priority for his department and for the federal government. So I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to discuss the framework agreement and devolution generally with him, as well as with the Prime Minister. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 8-15(2): Update On Intergovernmental Forum And Devolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of how important this is in terms of the timing of some of the resource development and things which are emerging, when will the Premier be meeting with Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Martin on the subject? Thank you.

Mr. Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 8-15(2): Update On Intergovernmental Forum And Devolution

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of DIAND was going to be in Yellowknife this week, but other priorities got in the way so he has postponed. I don’t have a date yet of when I’ll be able to meet with him. If it’s not soon, then I intend to talk with him by phone. Mr. Speaker, as well, there is a possibility of a First Ministers meeting in Ottawa next week, and if there is I certainly intend to be there and intend to raise this issue with the Prime Minister at that time. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 8-15(2): Update On Intergovernmental Forum And Devolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like to thank the Premier for those answers. I’d also like to, again for the benefit of the people, of our constituents who follow our proceedings and listen to what’s going on, I’d like to ask the Premier if he could outline for us the significance of seeing progress on this front in light of some of the development that we are anticipating. I think sometimes people talk a lot about devolution and resource revenue sharing, but perhaps don’t fully comprehend the absolute importance and significance of it in terms of our wellbeing as a territory. Could the Premier please make reference to that? Thank you.

Mr. Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 8-15(2): Update On Intergovernmental Forum And Devolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a very complex process, but I’ll try to be brief. First of all, devolution means the transfer of responsibility for land and resources from the federal government to the territorial and aboriginal governments. It is a trilateral process now, meaning there’s a three-way negotiation between the Aboriginal Summit representing the aboriginal governments, our government and the federal government. So it’s a process that if successful would mean that between ourselves and aboriginal governments we would have the same authority and responsibility as does a province.

On the resource revenue sharing side, then that side is critical to devolution as well, because we do not want to take on responsibility for land and resources and programs and services that come with it without having the dollars to go along to be able to pay for it. So we don’t want a situation, Mr. Speaker, where we have the responsibility, but the revenues still flow to the federal government without us getting a fair share that results in a fiscal benefit. So that is being negotiated at the same time. Not only is it complicated as a trilateral process between three parties, it’s also complicated because devolution is handled by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and resource revenue sharing is handled by Finance. Given the size of the federal government, it’s like dealing with two different governments in many ways. I hope with the new federal government we’re able to bring some coordination between the federal Department of Finance and Department of Indian and Northern Affairs so that we can talk about devolution and resource revenue sharing in one process.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that gives an overview, but it’s complicated. I know a lot of the public don’t really understand what devolution means. The bottom line to me is that devolution of resources and lands and the resource revenue sharing means that we as northerners are able then to make decisions that affect our lives. We won’t have someone in Ottawa licensing a mine or heading up an environmental review process. That will be our responsibility. We’ll be the ones who decide our own future here. That’s what we want, the same as do the aboriginal governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 8-15(2): Update On Intergovernmental Forum And Devolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I think I can determine from the Premier’s response that any reference I heard in a media interview that would suggest that anything other than a trilateral negotiation is not anything that he would consider or would even be possible. Could he please confirm that for me? Thank you.

Mr. Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 8-15(2): Update On Intergovernmental Forum And Devolution

Mr. Speaker, our government and aboriginal governments have been talking about devolution for more than 17 years. We don’t want to be seeing that process just continuing on for another four years under our watch. We want to see some process made on that. So would I consider any other alternative? I like the trilateral model. That’s the way to do business: government to government to government. But if there is not an interest in pursuing devolution by the federal government or by any other partners, then we have to look at some other model. Right now I’m optimistic that the federal government is on side. Minister Mitchell has told me they are. We have a meeting this week with some of the aboriginal leadership. I hope to hear the same message from them and if we can go on with confidence that we’re negotiating devolution in a trilateral process with everybody’s intention to meet a timeframe that will say we’re going to finish off this exercise, not drag it on for many more years while our people do without. Thank you.

---Applause