Debates of February 1, 2017 (day 45)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about the Arctic drilling ban, and my questions are for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Premier is: when did the Northwest Territories last discuss the ban on Arctic oil and gas development with Canada? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated publically, I was informed of the ban on drilling in Arctic waters by the Prime Minister two hours before he made the announcement in Vancouver. This was a couple weeks ago. At that time, I expressed my concerns and I have since written to the Prime Minister reiterating the Government of Northwest Territories' position that it is imperative that our government be involved in decisions that affect our people in the Northwest Territories. We must be able to give our residents hope for a brighter economic future.

The Prime Minister assured me that he knows this and I'll be following up with him at every opportunity to understand what investments the federal government will be making for the people of the Arctic in return. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: if the US administration decided to overthrow the moratorium, is there any indication that Canada would do the same?

At this time, the federal government has given us no indication that they intend to reconsider their decision to ban offshore drilling in the Arctic. The federal government has committed to a five-year scientific review of this decision; however, they have not provided any information about what that review will entail. I'll be following up with Prime Minister Trudeau at every opportunity to ensure that the Government of the Northwest Territories is involved in any review and that traditional knowledge is a key feature of that review.

My third question is: economic activity in the Beaufort Delta was already in serious decline. Is the government working on a regional strategy to help diversify the economy and seek opportunities such as a fishery, scientific research, mining, even tourism?

This government is committed to economic diversification. Cabinet recently participated at the mineral exploration conference in Vancouver to promote opportunities for exploration and mining. During the last government there was a focus on promoting the Asian tourism market, and we continue to see positive results with an increase of 20,000 tourists from 2011 to 2016. The completion of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway in 2017 will be a milestone in the Northwest Territories helping to connect communities support a resilient transportation system in the face of climate change and capture economic opportunities.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recently announced our intention to work with Yukon and Northwest Territories on a planned Territorial Sustainable Development Strategy. We are in the concept stages now and we'll work collaboratively with NWT Aboriginal governments and industry partners, as well as this Assembly, to create a strategy that will help the Beaufort Delta and the Northwest Territories diversify and build new economies as well as strengthen our traditional economies.

As this was a federal decision, we expect the federal government to deliver on the new jobs and gross strategy in return for shutting down and putting in place a moratorium in the Beaufort Delta.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response. After hearing all that, Mr. Speaker, my final question to the Premier is how often will the Government of the Northwest Territories engage both with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Canada on this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

All the Aboriginal governments in the Beaufort were unanimous in their condemnation at the lack of consultation with regard to a moratorium in the Beaufort Delta on oil and gas.

I had an opportunity to meet with the Inuvialuit Regional Council president in Vancouver. We agreed to meet on a regular basis, and we all agreed that the federal government must consult with both ourselves and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council with regards to proposed development of any changes to oil and gas policies in the Beaufort.

Officials in our government and IRC are working together as well as working with federal officials through the Inuvialuit Settlement Regional Oil and Gas Coordination Committee, which provides a venue to facilitate informationsharing and coordination. Through the devolution agreement that we signed with the federal government, we had agreed to negotiate an agreement on the management of the oil and gas in the Beaufort, and we have written to the federal government to remind them of that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.