Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the final months of 2017, the Premier took to the national stage to declare serious allegations towards all of southern Canada concerning the economic future of the NWT. The Premier has said that "the dreams of Northerners are dying." Mr. Speaker, the dreams of Northerners are not dying. They are renewed by the next generation who want a prosperous future for their communities with a sustainable economy that provides benefits to all of our residents. This is why I take issue with the Premier's rhetoric, and most recently his position that the NWT cannot have a strong economy and a strong environment. This backwards thinking is a relic of the past.
Northerners know that this government is not only capable of responsible resource development, but that our citizens demand it. The very mandate of this government is based on this idea, and the Premier is unwise to make such proclamations. Here in Yellowknife the toxic legacy of Giant Mine is more than enough evidence to support sound environmental regulations that prevent billion-dollar liabilities for future governments, especially in light of devolution where this government will be solely responsible for remediation.
Mr. Speaker, despite the intentions of the Premier, it is clear to me that this red alert is nothing more than a political ploy to stoke economic anxiety in Northerners and to pin the lackluster economic performance of this government on someone else. After two years of austerity budgets, is it any wonder why the NWT's economy continues to lag behind the rest of the nation? I think not. We need bold thinking and ambitious initiatives to boost economic performance, not time on national television to broadcast our disputes with Ottawa. If there was any real substance behind this red alert, such as a blueprint for economic development, then perhaps I would think otherwise about the Premier's agenda, but as it stands Northerners have nothing to consider apart from fear that future prosperity is falling out of reach.
As for the supposed "re-emergence of colonialism" from Ottawa, I am surprised the Premier would make much a claim when this government has so much work to do in reconciliation. I am shocked by the outrageous labelling of nation-to-nation relationships between Canada and Indigenous government as "divisive" and "colonial." This new relationship and approach from Canada has been applauded by numerous Indigenous leaders, including here in the NWT. I am just as concerned about the limited progress that has been made on pending land rights agreements. It is clear to me that this government takes issue with the advancement of Indigenous self-government, and I will have questions for the Premier on how we are fulfilling our constitutional obligations towards Indigenous self-government in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur Ie President. Without consulting Regular MLAs, the Premier went to Ottawa in October to launch his so-called red alert to complain about federal colonialism and interference in resource extraction. Many constituents and others contacted me expressing concern and disagreement with the Premier's negative and divisive statements. Almost every regional Indigenous government responded with their own concerns about lack of consultation on the red alert.
If there is to be a debate about the future of the NWT, and I believe there should be, it needs to start here in the Northwest Territories; not in Ottawa, not in Vancouver. It must also provide Northerners with an opportunity to have their voices heard.
The red alert diverts attention from poor leadership and lack of progress on this Assembly's mandate. The current Assembly has passed almost no substantial legislation. We haven't changed a word of the mirrored devolution legislation passed in early 2014, and no new land rights agreements have been negotiated. The red alert arises from the Premier's outrage with the federal five-year moratorium on Beaufort offshore rights issuances. There has been no exploration in the Beaufort for years, and even the Mackenzie Gas Project is now dead. The Premier himself proclaimed the death of oil and gas due to low commodity prices during his 2015 re-election campaign.
Given the imperatives of climate change and advances in renewable energy, it is highly doubtful there will be a resurgence of fossil fuel development in the Northwest Territories. The Premier also drew erroneous conclusions about the amount of NWT lands protected and over-emphasized the contribution of resource extraction to the NWT economy. He later had to correct these alternative facts when questioned by the media and by myself. With a different federal government, change is possible, and real partnership opportunities exist for the North. We need leadership with ideas for a vibrant and diversified economy that distributes wealth more equitably and sustainably, to move us beyond an export-based, externally controlled future.
That is the kind of leadership and collaboration that many NWT residents expect of our Premier and Cabinet. I challenge the Premier to begin the debate on the future of the Northwest Territories here on the floor of this Assembly, to develop a new vision for a diversified and sustainable economy. Mahsi Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
