Debates of October 22, 2004 (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday was an excellent debate and I would say in my view it certainly was one of our better days if not our best day as legislators here. With regard to the mandate on devolution, I had said that I would make it available to Members and I certainly will do that. Mr. Speaker, because we are in negotiations, I really don’t think it would be wise to make public our mandate unless everybody wanted to put their mandates on the table because it is a negotiated process. But, Mr. Speaker, I’m ready to make it available to Members privately. I’m ready to make it available to the committee and if the committee wants to meet on it, then I certainly take to heart one other Member’s statement of not wanting to do too much business in committee, but there are some things that probably are better dealt with in committee so we don’t bias our process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 283-15(3): Progress On GNWT Mandate To Pursue Devolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can appreciate that and certainly, in general, I support the protection of a mandate when there is a negotiation going on. That will certainly be something that committee can consider is the opportunity or the offer made by the Premier to have a look at this mandate, but I would like to explore it a little bit more. I’m wondering if the Premier could talk a bit about what are the principles that have gone into the mandate. What are the criteria by which the mandate has been set? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 283-15(3): Progress On GNWT Mandate To Pursue Devolution

Mr. Speaker, some of the main principles that our government has been very public on and certainly our principles that underlie what we do in devolution include that we will not somehow abrogate or somehow compromise any aboriginal rights of any groups or their treaty rights. As we negotiate devolution, we will not prejudice any land claims or self-government agreements. Mr. Speaker, as well we have said that aboriginal governments should have a role and responsibilities when devolution is complete. We are not just looking at devolution from federal government to us, but rather we want to include aboriginal governments. So that would be another principle. We also believe that all governments, including the GNWT and aboriginal governments, should have reasonable net fiscal benefits as a result of devolution. Mr. Speaker, those are some of the main principles that our discussions on devolution are based upon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 283-15(3): Progress On GNWT Mandate To Pursue Devolution

Mr. Speaker, one of the things we talked about yesterday was the role of some of the timelines and the expectations. In fact the agreement that was signed earlier this year said that all three levels of government, federal, territorial and aboriginal, agreed to shoot for April 2006. Now is that agreement still in place, or is that target still in place, Mr. Speaker? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 283-15(3): Progress On GNWT Mandate To Pursue Devolution

Mr. Speaker, yes, that continues to be in place. It’s in the framework agreement that all three parties signed last winter and we signed in January; I think the federal government signed off in March. That’s the only time frame we have right now, and at some point soon we will have to sit down with the aboriginal governments and with the federal government and review that and see if this is still a realistic target for us to be aiming at. Mr. Speaker, I want to make significant progress or complete devolution during the life of our government and I’m still aiming at trying to do it by 2006 if that is possible, if we have the willingness on all sides. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 283-15(3): Progress On GNWT Mandate To Pursue Devolution

Mr. Speaker, the resources of the Northwest Territories and the value of those resources are leaving our territory at unprecedented and increasing rates as we continue to negotiate. Does the negotiating framework have any trigger mechanisms or ways in which we can force a conclusion in the event that our regular or agreed-to or hoped-for timelines are not met?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 283-15(3): Progress On GNWT Mandate To Pursue Devolution

Mr. Speaker, no, there are no trigger mechanisms that can force anyone to sign on a devolution deal that they are not willing to sign on. This has to be a good deal for everybody. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.