Debates of October 21, 2004 (day 25)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. For the past 130 years, the vast lands of the Northwest Territories have been the treasure chest of Canada, the collateral of the nation, with the riches from our forests, rocks and waters. But over the past decades, Mr. Speaker, four provinces and one territory have been carved out of our boundaries. Today, while we are left with a much smaller geography, we are still blessed with the resources that an increasingly hungry world wants, and we have at least two of these. We have energy and we have minerals, and off in the future, Mr. Speaker, let’s look way out there, will be the exploitation of our most precious commodity of all, our vast resources of clean water.

Hear! Hear!

---Applause

The North is also the centre of some of the world's most progressive moves, Mr. Speaker, in democracy and governance. We are trying to make the best of them right here in this Assembly, as we try to forge new alliances between the indigenous peoples of northern Canada and newer Canadians from other nations. We have been, and will continue to be, the most exciting place to live in Canada, if the dynamics of our politics, our economy and our societies evolve.

Just weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, we heard that Canada has awakened to these factors and is calling for a new vision and a new purpose to be struck in a new national strategy for the North. It has been 50 years since this was done. It is an exciting and encouraging opportunity for us, but we must recognize that this will not happen overnight. Indeed, it will be years before the fruits of such a bold initiative begin to take effect. In the meantime though, our economic chance to make most of this happen is being exploited at astonishing rates with precious little left for us.

Last year alone, Mr. Speaker, almost $2.3 billion in diamonds, gold, and oil and gas was taken from our lands; more than twice the value of all the services of this government, in one year, gone. The royalties stream from this amounted to some $200 million flowing into federal coffers that we have learned are already staggering under an astonishing $9.1 billion surplus. Our share of this, at current levels, about $8 million; $8 million out of $200 million.

Mr. Braden, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, some $200 million flowing into federal coffers that are already bulging under a $9.1 billion surplus. We get about $8 million out of this $200 million. I do the math, Mr. Speaker, and it just doesn’t figure, especially as our Legislature struggles this year on how to pay our $20 million of our budgets for health, education, housing and other matters.

Mr. Speaker, we often hear criticism and outrage of how huge multinational corporations plunder the resources of developing nations. They get away with it by taking advantage of lax, uncoordinated and short-sighted governments. Is the NWT any different? Why are we allowing this to happen?

Mr. Speaker, our northern governments have got to pull together now more than ever, to put aside our differences and pull together on the urgency for a deal to share our resources. The message we need to spread across Canada and especially in the halls of Parliament and the bureaucracies of Ottawa, is that Canada must choose finally to cast off the regressive mantel of colonialism toward the NWT.

---Applause

Ottawa must see that we are a genuine, vital and legitimate part of the Canadian federation. We are a player, a partner, and more than a source of cash, Mr. Speaker. We ask only to be treated fairly and equitably. It is time for the agreements on devolution and resource revenue sharing to be a reality for us and the aboriginal governments of this land. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause