Debates of August 23, 2011 (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are directed to the Minister of Environment with regard to the proposed amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. I know the Minister mentioned that this government is requesting three additional changes to be considered in light of what’s being recommended by the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and also the other boards and agencies. I think the big issue or challenge that we face is that as the Northwest Territories I don’t think it’s the fault of the board. If anything, the boards are doing what they’ve been told, but without having the adequate resources to do their jobs. Especially integrating land and water management systems and looking at the timelines for consultation of which we have 42 days to deal with a Class A and 15 days for Class B licences. Yet there are regions in the Northwest Territories that don’t have land claims, regarding the Tlicho and Dehcho and the South Slave. Without having the appropriate structures in place it is a challenge on different regions.

I’d like to ask the Minister what we are doing with regard to the government’s suggested changes to find ways to integrate these different systems to streamline them so they’re more workable.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue of regulatory reform and changes to the process have been under discussion now for many years. Our request to the government, to Minister Duncan, has been that there be no changes initiated now that we’ve signed the agreement-in-principle so that the devolution process can take place, and then at that point, once there’s been a transfer, if there are changes necessary to sign on by Northerners, that Northerners would have that right and authority to make those changes, whatever they may be, should it be so determined by Northerners.

I think one of the fundamental elements that are missing, especially in the majority of the region which there’s only one region that has a land use plan through their land use planning commission planning process, which is the Gwich’in Settlement Region, but again that whole system of land use plans is a tool that can be used by the different management authorities to help them and assist them in making those decisions.

I’d like to ask the Minister exactly why it is that this government is not supporting land use plans where they’re presently being integrated, and supporting the Dehcho and Sahtu in integrating their land use plans into the system.

In fact, the Government of the Northwest Territories strongly supports the idea of land use planning. We are working as a government on our own land use framework that will get our thinking clear as a government so that we can be as constructive and supportive as possible at the various tables. We are involved at the various tables right now. The key for us is to make sure that we have an organized, coherent message and plan going forward. We recognize the distinct importance of the land use plans. That’s why we’re doing things like the Water Strategy. That’s why we’re doing things like improving our legislation to deal with species at risk and the Wildlife Act, is to be able to, within the broad land use planning framework, have the tools necessary to make them work.

Another area I think has to be clarified is the whole area of inspection and enforcement. That’s the part that falls below the waistline when it comes to actually getting the work done. A lot of times the blame goes to the regulatory boards, which they don’t have that authority. That authority is with Indian and Northern Affairs. I’d again like to ask the Minister, with regard to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, that’s another area I feel has to be concluded and fulfilled. I’d like to ask the Minister if he’s had discussions to ensure that component is looked at in regard to the government’s suggested amendments.

That and a number of other issues have been discussed. The money that was identified to do things like cumulative impact studies and assessments. The main fundamental concern is that there be no significant changes, or changes of any kind while we’re in an election process. Now, since we’ve signed the AIP and we’re in a transition phase where we’re going to be taking over from the federal government that there not be any significant changes until that process is concluded so that it will be Northerners that will decide on what changes are necessary, if any, once that process is complete.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I noted earlier in my comments, the government is suggesting looking at three additional issues for consideration. Can the Minister elaborate on those three particular areas for consideration for changes in the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act?

I’ve indicated what our request to the federal government is. There has been a number of initiatives underway. There has been our view, starting back with Mr. McCrank. There’s been the federal government at work. We have pressed the federal government Minister Duncan to hold off on any changes to the regulatory regime while we have these other processes underway and given the fact, as well, that we are going to be soon in the middle of an election process. At this point that is where we are with the issue of the regulatory reform and any proposed or possible changes.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.