Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of Canada contracted Neil McCrank to review the regulatory process for permitting of non-renewable resource development projects in the North. Mr. McCrank focused the report on the NWT process.
After reading the report and several responses to it, I am perplexed about why it was even done. In its essence the McCrank report simply duplicates the 2005 environmental audit — a much, much more thorough assessment conducted by Northerners and more solution oriented. Incidentally, the audit was also the legally required process for improving the integrated resource management system in the NWT.
The McCrank report repeats conclusions of the environmental audit and the MVEIRB and board forum self-assessments and states the obvious: we need comprehensive land use planning throughout the NWT, and we need to implement the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program. However, the report is essentially silent in grappling with the real issues of how to actually get this done.
McCrank’s call for a complete restructuring ignores the fact that the governance and regulatory system has evolved in the NWT as a result of constitutionally entrenched land claim agreements developed in response to Northerners’ concerns and desire for input on these processes. Restructuring this is not on.
Mr. Speaker, we understand the need for evaluation of new processes and procedures in order to learn from our experience. The MVEIRB and others have often highlighted the consequences of inadequate funding; for example, lack of opportunity to evaluate the implementation of measures arising from approved environmental assessment. Lack of funding for the participant process is also a significant capacity issue for aboriginal and community organizations and NGOs — one acknowledged by most reviews but again not noted in the McCrank report despite submissions on this.
Our Premier has called this report thorough, honest and accurate, but I cannot subscribe to this assessment, especially the thorough part. I understand a more critical review may be in the making. Along with many Northerners I await this assessment with interest. Let’s ensure that the GNWT supports an approach focused on consultation and community involvement — the uniquely northern approach outlined in the 2005 audit — rather than putting a rubber stamp of approval on a report that seems out of touch with northern values and institutions of governance.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
