Debates of June 5, 2006 (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after the federal election, I asked the Premier about the status of the royalty talks. It has been four months now. I would like to ask the Premier again, has there been any progress made in the status of the devolution and royalty talks? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there has been progress. In fact, substantial progress has been made in the last couple of months. With regard to resource revenues, royalties, as the Member referred, we did receive the report of the council federation expert panel. It was made available on April 6th. It was a report that was very favourable in terms of how the three territorial governments should be treated on resource revenues.

Mr. Speaker, this morning, the federal Minister of Finance made available the federal government’s expert panel report. So we now have that report. Mr. Speaker, I will say the Minister of Finance will be making a statement on that one tomorrow, once we have a chance to look at it more carefully.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of progress. The reports, the experts across the country have come out in agreement with our position regarding resource revenues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, travelling down the Mackenzie Valley in some of the communities, a wise man once told me that our common goal should be greater than our common enemy. With that being said, I would like to ask the Premier, is part of the delay the inability of the leadership of the Northwest Territories to get at the table and be on the same page? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Mr. Speaker, yes, we have a number of aboriginal governments and aboriginal organizations across the Territories. Some have settled claims and they would like to get on with and join the economic benefits that come from their claim and from economic activity. We have others who are in the process of negotiating claims. They would like to settle those negotiations first.

Mr. Speaker, let me say, when Minister Prentice was in Norman Wells in April for the Circle of Northern Leaders, he was quite clear there that he was ready to proceed in what he called the best interest of the majority of northerners. Mr. Speaker, at some point, in spite of differences, and I think I agree with Mr. Prentice, we have to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for the update. Two hundred seventy-five million dollars left the Northwest Territories in 2004, and that was just from the diamond mines. That should cause the leadership of the NWT a great deal of concern. As we continue to try to hash this out, money continues to flow to Ottawa. As my final question, what is our next step? Where do we go from here? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 53-15(5): Update On The Status Of Devolution And Royalty Negotiations

Mr. Speaker, there are a couple of things that are happening simultaneously. First of all, the majority of aboriginal leaders agree with what the Member has said. They want to move forward. The Aboriginal Summit has created what they call a working committee. On their side, it is three representatives from the summit. On our side, it is three representatives from our Cabinet: myself, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of ITI. We have had a phone meeting. We have made a commitment that, as soon as we got the second expert panel report, we would brief them. We will try to go forward from here working together.

Mr. Speaker, as well, as I mentioned in my sessional statement, I am going to Edmonton on Thursday to meet with the other Premiers of provinces and territories to continue to negotiate any questions to be briefed on the expert panel report.

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of things going on. I think generally we are seeing a coming together of the different views. I am optimistic that, over the next months, we will move forward in a way that doesn’t pre-empt anybody, but, at the same time, allow us to benefit from those rather huge and increasing resource revenues that are coming from the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.