Debates of October 17, 2006 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for the Premier. As many of my colleagues have discussed already, it is in the area of negotiations for resource and finance arrangements here in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Harvie Andre is the latest federal emissary to the NWT from Ottawa to negotiate these deals. I want to express my hope that he will be able to advance this issue. Mr. Speaker, this Assembly, chiefs and mayors have for years now been very clearly on the record with the federal and provincial governments that this is our goal. Resources and wealth are flying out of the NWT at a rate of about three-quarters of a million dollars a day, Mr. Speaker.

I want to ask now about the critical area, which the Premier has already acknowledged has been a difficulty in the past, and that is the mandate of the federal negotiator. Mr. Speaker, does Mr. Andre have the full authority of the federal government to negotiate the finance deal with us and with aboriginal governments? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 106-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Mr. Speaker, I have not seen a written mandate for Mr. Andre but, in my discussions with him, it is clear that he understands our point when we link both resource revenue sharing and devolution. Mr. Speaker, he understands that relationship. Mr. Speaker, there is no indication that he has the authority to overrule the federal Finance Minister who has the ultimate authority in the federal Cabinet on finance issues, but he can certainly carry very strong messages back to Minister Prentice and then onto Mr. Flaherty. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 106-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Mr. Speaker, the Premier, in a news interview in the past few days, said it’s his hope that this is something that could be done within four months. I guess I am assuming here that we might be looking at certain potential election processes that might engage in that time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to probe this a little bit. Is this four months’ time frame something that has been agreed to or discussed with Mr. Andre and, of course, with the aboriginal governments who are party to these negotiations as well, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 106-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The four months past I am referring to is an agreement-in-principle, not a complete devolution and resource revenue sharing as was reported. I am talking about an agreement-in-principle. Mr. Speaker, yes, it has been discussed with Mr. Andre. It has also been discussed with Minister Prentice.

Mr. Speaker, let me point out, as Members may recall, in July 2005 or June 2005, we had an agreement. The aboriginal negotiator was ready to recommend to his principals the acceptance of an agreement-in-principle on devolution. We had issue with regard to some of the fiscal side, so we weren’t ready at that point.

Mr. Speaker, I also raised with Mr. Andre the need to resolve those six outstanding financial or fiscal issues as a first task. Mr. Speaker, I believe the aboriginal leaders who were onside in 2005 are still onside. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 106-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Mr. Speaker, this deal really is no longer an option for the people of the NWT. It is time for results. What more can we do? The Speaker…I’m sorry, the Premier and his team, many politicians and other northern leaders have very consistently and strongly been on the record that it is time for results, it is time for action. What more can we do, Mr. Speaker, to convince Mr. Andre and his boss, Mr. Prentice, and everybody’s boss, Mr. Harper, and Mr. Flaherty, to convince them that this is no longer an option, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 106-15(5): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is no longer an option for us, as I said in my sessional statement. The situation we have is not sustainable. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Prentice and Mr. Harper have made pretty firm commitments to us on what they think is the element of a good deal. We have told them what we expect to be done. We are entering negotiations with them. I want to work towards an agreement-in-principle within the next few months.

Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, I expect that there is going to be a federal election coming up. We don’t have a lot of levers here, but I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that this is the most important issue in my mind for people of the Northwest Territories. If we don’t have progress on this by the time the next federal election happens, and it could be as early as spring, I don’t know when it would be, then I think we have a major lever at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.