Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources can have a significant role in developing the economy of the north. We encourage the department to work closely with other departments, especially Economic Development and Tourism, Transportation and the NWT Power Corporation. Such cooperation could lead to a number of promising developments which could provide employment and other benefits to northerners.
The committee strongly supports the department's efforts in trying to finalize devolution of responsibility for minerals and oil and gas from the federal government. Members urge the department to recognize the importance of involving aboriginal groups, at various stages of claims, treaty negotiations and settlement, in the finalization of this devolution.
The committee notes that the department has been working on this particular aspect of devolution for about the last seven years. In addition, committee Members have been concerned that federal bureaucrats have not expressed a strong will to complete these negotiations. On the other hand, the committee was encouraged to hear the following comments made by the new Prime Minister in his address to our Legislative Assembly on November 17, 1993.
"I would just like to tell you that we will talk about the problems, one by one. We have to carry on with the job of determining the territorial creation of Nunavut and the development of the constitutions. We will have to work in collaboration with the people who will be developing the constitution. I will talk to you about the need to finish the transfer of responsibilities to the territorial government at a pace determined by you. It will take some time and we don't want to impose anything on you."
Recommendation 17
The committee recommends that the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, involve concerned aboriginal groups and finalize the devolution of responsibility for minerals and oil and gas from the federal government.
Committee Members feel that the "package" approach for negotiation with the federal government may help here, and that this department and concerned aboriginal organizations should be active participants in the continuing development of the "package" and its accompanying short and mid-term negotiating strategy.
As well, the committee encourages the department to continue development of a short-term strategy for maximizing benefits to northerners from...