Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the northern regulatory process. In 2007-08, the federal government contracted Neil McCrank to prepare a report called The Road to Improvement. It was a report about where he recommended several changes that should be made to our northern regulatory process. Of course, this was just the last of many reports that have been made of these issues about our burdensome and convoluted northern regulatory process.
Mr. Speaker, it needs to be coined up and, in my opinion, it needs to be simplified and timely. A regulatory process is key to attracting long-term resource development that will help our economy.
Mr. Speaker, in March 2009, the GNWT identified various recommendations and perspectives on the regulatory issue in its own report. However, all that we know about the GNWT’s authority is the fact that we don’t have any. Sadly, the authority falls in the federal hands.
Mr. Speaker, often it has been described as the federal government is our absentee landlord that continues to show about the flirting and fading interest in the development of the Northwest Territories autonomy. Mr. Speaker, they only show interest when it is in their interest. Mr. Speaker, the advantage of a recession is it gives people time to catch up on the things they never get a chance to focus at have time to do. Mr. Speaker, I think now is a time to address these changes in a regulatory process. There is clearly little resource development going on, because it is reflective of the northern and, certainly, world economy. Mr. Speaker, changes need to happen before the regulatory system gets busy again with new applications.
Mr. Speaker, while the engines of industry are idling, we should be working with them to come up with a good process that works for them and recognizes environmental stewardship for the future. Mr. Speaker, may I remind everyone that the GNWT’s report calls for a review of legislation on various levels from aboriginal land claims to self-government, including government policies. Mr. Speaker, it is a convoluted one itself, but we could be doing these things.
It has been eight months since the GNWT report was last released and no one knows what has been done. Mr. Speaker, I will have a discussion on issues with the Minister responsible to find out what he has done to engage aboriginal groups, our federal counterparts. Where have the recommendations gone? Mr. Speaker, by streamlining the process, we won’t take away from our environmental responsibilities, but we will create certainty in an environment where we need resource development to help our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
