Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, Members will be aware that for the past several months this government has been in discussions with all aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories, in an attempt to reach a common position on the devolution of the legislative authority for oil, gas and minerals from the federal government to the GNWT.
I must inform Members that yesterday these discussions reached a serious impasse, regarding the definition of aboriginal rights and self-government within the northern accord document, that threatens this process.
Mr. Speaker, the aboriginal groups have put forward a position that attempts to define self-government within the northern accord document.
Throughout these discussions, it has been our view that while we recognize the linkages between constitutional development, including the northern accord, and self-government, they remain two separate and distinct processes.
The northern accord is, primarily, an economic agreement that will allow the Government of the Northwest Territories and, pending agreements between aboriginal groups and Canada, aboriginal claimant groups, and future aboriginal governments the ability to raise revenues from mineral development.
At the same time, we have recognized the importance of current and future self-government negotiations in this process. We have been committed to proceeding with the northern accord discussions in a manner that does not, in any way, abrogate, derogate or prejudice any aboriginal and treaty rights, including any future agreements reached between aboriginal groups and Canada. We have proposed to include wording within the northern accord that not only protects, but promotes the opportunity to negotiate agreements with the federal government on matters covered by the northern accord.
We believe this position is fair and, in fact, enhances the ability of aboriginal claimant groups and First Nations to begin
negotiations with the federal government on the self-government issues.
The Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs is prepared to meet with all of these groups to discuss in more detail this government's position on aboriginal self-government.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough the importance of this issue. This government is being faced with fiscal restrictions and federal cuts that will significantly erode our financial base and fundamentally affect our ability to deliver essential services to people in all regions of the Northwest Territories. At the same time, the options available to raise revenues to offset these cuts are limited.
Northerners cannot afford significant increases in taxation or service charges. Revenue generation from resource development is our best opportunity to raise revenues and retain a financial base that will allow us to meet the increasing demands for services in all of our communities.
I note that the protection of our fiscal base is of fundamental importance as it will be from this fiscal base that the resources to finance all future government that may eventually be formed from the existing Northwest Territories will have to come from.
Mr. Speaker, I remain committed to continuing these discussions in an earnest and genuine attempt to find a solution to this impasse. Although we have reached this impasse, I am still prepared to work towards the May 31st deadline that was set by all parties in the process. I hope during that time we can develop a common northern position that we can bring forward to the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, if there is no resolution to these discussions at that time, I will have to go forward to Cabinet with the options available to determine a course of action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause