(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS the International Whaling Commission, IWC, has the responsibility to manage the world's whale stocks;
AND WHEREAS the IWC has not yet decided whether its management role includes the competence to manage small cetaceans;
AND WHEREAS it appears inevitable that the IWC will assume the responsibility to manage small cetaceans within the next two years;
AND WHEREAS the present IWC is dominated by member nations that pursue a goal of irrational protectionism rather than management of whale stocks;
AND WHEREAS those same member nations of IWC appear to be influenced by the same animal rights groups that have caused the demise of the fur and sealing industries and have thereby created a negative impact on northern native traditional pursuits and lifestyle;
AND WHEREAS those same member nations will make unreasonable requests of subsistence harvesters in the NWT;
AND WHEREAS subsistence harvesters within the NWT fulfill their needs following the principles of conservation and sustainability according to management plans;
AND WHEREAS there is no need for external agencies such as the IWC to interfere with Canada's sovereign right to manage its whale resources on behalf of its aboriginal population;
AND WHEREAS Canada's aboriginal peoples have inalienable rights to harvest whale species for subsistence;
AND WHEREAS these rights may be compromised by Canada being subject to the IWC by virtue of membership;
AND WHEREAS such a situation would lead to prolonged conflict between Canada and its aboriginal peoples with respect to harvesting rights and subsistence needs; AND WHEREAS Canada must pay as much attention to its internal affairs as it does to its image in the eyes of the rest of the world;
AND WHEREAS Canada can be proud of its record of the wise use of renewable resources in the NWT;
AND WHEREAS the Inuvialuit, by virtue of their experiences with the IWC, have resolved that the IWC does not, and will not, serve a useful purpose with respect to the national utilization and management of whale resources;
AND WHEREAS all subsistence users within the NWT share the same view of the national utilization of wildlife;
NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that this Legislative Assembly is not in favour of Canada rejoining the International Whaling Commission;
AND FURTHER, that the Government of the Northwest Territories communicate this resolution to the Government of Canada.