Debates of March 24, 2004 (day 7)

March
24
2004
Day
7
Speaker
David Krutko
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Committee Motion 6-15(3): To Continue To Provide Base Funding For The Early Childhood Development Program, Carried
Committee Motion 7-15(3): To Undertake A Quantitative Evaluation On Grade Extensions To Gauge Student Success, Carried
Further Return To Question 15-15(3): Constitutional Questions Related To Attaining Provincehood
Member's Statement On Access Road Connecting Highway 3 And Kam Lake
Member's Statement On Fort Good Hope Search And Rescue Volunteer Awards Night
Member’s Statement On Debt Repayment To The NWT Business Credit Corporation
Member’s Statement On Early Childhood Development
Member’s Statement On Observations On The Performance Of Premier And Cabinet
Member’s Statement On Reflections On The 2004 Federal Budget
Member’s Statement On Response To The Federal Budget
Member’s Statement On Reviewing And Improving Legal Aid
Member’s Statement On Tlicho Self-Government Agreement Information Session
Minister's Statement 15-15(3): 2004 Federal Budget
Minister's Statement 16-15(3): World TB Day
Minister's Statement 17-15(3): American Gem Society Laboratories Visit
Question 67-15(3): Highlights Of The Federal Budget
Question 68-15(3): Access Road Between Highway 3 And Kam Lake
Question 69-15(3): Taltson Hydroelectric Development
Question 70-15(3): Self-Government And Taxation
Question 71-15(3): Surface Cleanup At Giant Mine Site
Question 72-15(3): Formula Financing And Revenue Sharing
Question 73-15(3): Benefits Of The Federal Budget
Question 74-15(3): Business Credit Corporation Loans Arrears
Question 75-14(3): Impacts Of Federal Budget On Small NWT Communities
Return To Written Question 1-15(3): Bill Of Intent To Seek Provincial Status
Tabled Document 11-15(3): Action Plan To Strengthen Tuberculosis Management And Control In The NWT: Status Report, March 2004
Tabled Document 3-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Invitation To Tender: 2004 Supply Of Mobile Homes
Tabled Document 4-15(3): Gwich’in And Inuvialuit Self-Government Agreement-In-Principle
Written Question 7-15(3): WCB Revenues And Expenses For 2002-03 And 2003-04
Written Question 8-15(3): Sex Offender Registry
Statements

Further Return To Question 15-15(3): Constitutional Questions Related To Attaining Provincehood

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Allen on March 17, 2004 regarding the constitutional questions related to attaining provincehood.

Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Summit is a society established by aboriginal organizations to represent their interests in the Intergovernmental Forum process, including the negotiation of the transfer of lands and resources to the Northwest Territories. While the Aboriginal Summit does not have constitutional status, many of its member organizations have lands, resources and self-government agreements that do recognize and protect their rights under section 35 of the Constitution Act. Other member organizations of the summit are in the process of negotiating agreements that will address their aboriginal rights.

The Northwest Territories Act does not entrench the rights of aboriginal peoples. It sets out the powers of the Government of the Northwest Territories to ensure that the business of government is carried out in the NWT.

The GNWT is committed to working in partnership with the member organizations of the Aboriginal Summit to ensure their rights are respected as we continue the process of negotiating a lands and resources transfer agreement with the Government of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause