Debates of October 19, 2006 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for the Premier and this is in relation to the appointment of GNWT representatives to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board…I’m sorry, the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, a position that has been vacant now for some 10 months.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier was, I recall, quoted in a recent media interview as saying that while the initial nominee of our government has been rejected by Minister Prentice of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, that our government should really undertake to give him a few more selections. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask the Premier in this regard, just what is the discretion of the Minister of Northern Affairs to reject our nominee?

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

Return To Question 134-15(5): Appointments To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because this is a federal board, the federal Minister has the final decision on any of the members. We simply put forward nominations; he can choose to reject them if he chooses. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 134-15(5): Appointments To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

You know, Mr. Speaker, when these boards were created, and we are going back about 10 years now, the NWT fought for a degree of representation and autonomy so that we knew that our voices were indeed going to be heard, along with those of many First Nations who also have designated spots on those boards. Just why is it that we are not pressing the Minister to accept our nominee so that we can be assured that our position is being heard as clearly as possible and not subject to the whims or biases that a federal Minister might want to have, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Premier.

Further Return To Question 134-15(5): Appointments To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

Mr. Speaker, I can assure Members that we have been pressing the Minister for several months now and, as I say, it is the Minister’s discretion, the final decision, I should say, on our nominations as well as nominations from other parties including aboriginal organizations. So he has that final say. Mr. Speaker, in order to resolve this, we recognize the need to have someone and have that position filled. In order to move ahead with this, we have agreed with the federal Minister to give him more names. If he can’t make a decision based on the names we have provided, we will give him more names. Recently, the Minister responsible, the Minister of ENR, had sent a letter out asking for nominations from Members and others. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary To Question 134-15(5): Appointments To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I have that call letter in my hand right now and it’s certainly something I am going to give a lot of attention to. We went through this process earlier this year. We came up, I believe, with a good name, one that had my confidence. I wanted to ask the Premier if he got any reason from the Minister of Northern Affairs for the rejection. What are the criteria that the federal Minister wants to put on our nominee, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 134-15(5): Appointments To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

Mr. Speaker, no, I have not gotten any reason why the Minister will not select the one individual we provided. The Minister did say, though, that if we give him one name, the answer is yes or no. He appealed to me, can you give me more than one name so I can choose. In order to get this position filled, I have agreed to. Yes, we will give you more names, if that is what you wish, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 134-15(5): Appointments To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

Here we go again, Mr. Speaker, still under Ottawa’s thumb trying to get anywhere at all with resource revenue sharing and devolution. It’s tough enough that we can’t even secure our own independence with one of 20 people on a board. We are not even able to get that far with Ottawa. Will the Premier, indeed, once consultation is through, put forward a name that we know we have confidence in and insist that the Minister of Northern Affairs take that as the true and full voice for the NWT, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 134-15(5): Appointments To Mackenzie Valley Land And Water Board

Mr. Speaker, the work of this board is very important. It’s very important that we have representation on it. In order to fill that position and get on with the important work the board has, I have agreed with the Minister that we will provide him with more than one name. If he feels he doesn’t want to just rubberstamp the one name we give him, we will give him more names. Mr. Speaker, I appeal to all the Members of this House to think about other names that we could put forward to get this board fully represented and on with its important work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.