Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday afternoon there was a monumental decision by the federal court on Treaty 8, where the Treaty 8 members are exempt from paying federal income tax, at the very least. It is a federal decision, so it has implications for Treaty 8 members living anywhere in Canada, including the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, that decision is positive in a lot of ways, and most importantly it is positive for the people of the Northwest Territories in the sense that it reaffirms the position that Treaty 8 elders and chiefs have been stating for years, that Treaty 8 in the Northwest Territories and in Canada was a peace and friendship treaty, that we did not give up our lands and resources. We agreed to live in co-existence. When the judge made that decision, he reaffirmed that position.
It is good for the people of the Northwest Territories who are Treaty 8, but, Mr. Speaker, I caution that we should take a wait-and-see approach on this issue. There is room for dissension amongst the members, especially within the Akaitcho territory.
The Akaitcho chiefs are in negotiations with the federal government and this government on implementing the treaty of 1900 signed in Fort Resolution. This may cause dissension because members who are in financial trouble today may want to take advantage of this decision right now, because it is law today. The federal government more than likely will appeal. I urge them not to. Decisions at this level in the courts have been made in favour of the aboriginal people and their positions on a consistent basis. It is unfair that the Canadian tax payer should be footing the bill for appeals that may not be beneficial. I urge them to talk with their chiefs and councils on the approach that should be taken in response to this decision. The Akaitcho chiefs will be having some meetings on this. I met with them on Friday. They are taking a cautionary approach to it. However, they see this as a very beneficial decision that reconfirms their position.