The Government of the Northwest Territories and it partners in the Aboriginal Summit are currently involved in devolution negotiations with the Government of Canada that are expected to lead to the transfer of jurisdiction over lands, water and resources to the Government of the Northwest Territories. While the negotiations are aimed at the transfer to the GNWT of jurisdictions similar to those exercised by the provinces, it is not the government’s intent to seek provincial status at this time.

The GNWT believes that the current devolution negotiations provide the best opportunity for gaining greater control over lands and resources in the Northwest Territories. Similarly, a number of factors suggest that seeking provincehood at this time may not provide the powers and benefits that are currently beings sought through devolution negotiations.

Previous historical precedent demonstrates that attaining provincial status does not guarantee control over land, resources or resource revenues, as is currently being sought in devolution negotiations. The provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta were all created from parts of what was then the Northwest Territories. Although this occurred in 1870 for Manitoba and 1905 for Saskatchewan and Alberta, control over lands and resources was not transferred until the 1930s.

As a province, the Northwest Territories would no longer receive funding from Canada through a formula financing agreement, but would instead be subject to existing equalization arrangements. Equalization payments are based on the revenue-raising capacity of a province, but do not take into account the cost of providing government programs and services. Formula financing arrangements with the federal government do consider the higher costs of providing programs and services in the Northwest Territories and provide an expenditure base that gives our government more money on a per capita basis than it would likely receive through equalization.

In keeping with the spirit and intent of settled land claims and self-government agreements, as well as ongoing negotiations, the GNWT had chosen to work in partnership with aboriginal leaders to pursue expanded jurisdiction over lands, water and resources in the Northwest Territories through devolution negotiations.

The GNWT has worked hard to achieve consensus with its partners at the table and, with the recent signing of the devolution framework agreement, has made significant progress in our negotiations. We continue to believe that devolution offers the best possibility for the people of the Northwest Territories to gain control over their own lands and resources. We do not believe that there would be any additional benefit to be had by putting aside the success we have achieved to date through devolution negotiations to embark on a new process to seek provincial status. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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