Debates of May 27, 2004 (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, have my questions directed to the Minister of RWED. The contents of my Member’s statement referred that we definitely need a policy framework for negative impacts as it pertains to industry development across the Northwest Territories. So could the Minister provide this House as to what framework was used for the Snap Lake project as it was raised in the news release on the Snap Lake agreement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return to Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We talk about the context or the frame in which negotiations were undertaken with DeBeers in this matter, in developing our socioeconomic agreement. I would say that we took our guidance from past SEA agreements with BHP and with Rio Tinto, and further to that, Mr. Speaker, followed the direction as laid out in the EA process by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. That EA process provided the frame of reference, and laid out a number of obligations that had to be met both by the company, by DeBeers, and by our government. So we’ve used that as our context or frame for developing the socioeconomic agreement. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Allen.

Supplementary To Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So would the Minister confirm then if this same process will be used for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, and the pipeline groups? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley

I think philosophically we are talking about, Mr. Speaker, the same idea. We’ve been working to negotiate a protocol agreement with the producers group. That protocol agreement would be an umbrella agreement that would spell out the number of sub-agreements that come under it. I think there are -- I am going to guess between nine and 15 -- one of those agreements would be the socioeconomic agreement, and we’ve also had discussions about the length of time it has been taking to get the protocol agreement finalized. We are in discussions with the producers group and at the same time moving forward on the SEA process, starting to negotiate the socioeconomic process, because, of course, we are concerned about the time frame here, we want to move forward quickly. But, the ideas are similar. We are talking about business targets, we are talking about employment targets. Those kinds of things would be included in this agreement. In general, Mr. Speaker, we are talking about benefits that we think should accrue to residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Allen.

Supplementary To Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All said and done, although one key component seems to be missing, and that is in terms of monitoring of these agreements. So will the department continue to the monitor these reports and the contents of the BHP and Diavik previous agreements? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley

Thank you. The Member is certainly right; we have monitoring obligations. We have obligations that are shared with BHP and with Diavik, and we will with DeBeers, as well. We are proposing to set up a joint monitoring board under the terms of the new agreement, and have done likewise in some of the past agreements. I think the Member is making the point that we need to be vigilant in monitoring. I agree with the Member. We have to ensure that the commitments being made, and that we spent so much time negotiating, are being lived up to. Obviously we have an obligation in that regard, and my department has an obligation, and I take the Member’s point that we certainly need to be fulfilling that commitment. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Allen.

Supplementary To Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then can the Minister articulate to this House and to the people of the Northwest Territories and conclude that there will be no negative impacts or negative effects on government from these projects? Could he state that to this assembly? Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 144-15(3): Potential Impacts Of Resource Development In The Mackenzie Valley

Thank you. In terms of negative impacts on the people of the Northwest Territories, obviously we want to mitigate those wherever possible. I can assure the Member that I’m sitting down with my colleagues, the Minister responsible for the social envelope, to first identify what those potential impacts are, and we have some I would say track record now. We can take a look at our experience with the course of the last couple of mines. I think we need to learn from that. We need to understand where the challenges are, and where there are potential impacts seek to mitigate them. There certainly has to be structure and framework in place to do that. I give the Members my assurance that that’s high on our radar as a government, and we are dedicating resources to making sure we collaborate interdepartmentally to meet that. Thank you.