Mr. Speaker, in the Yukon they have one umbrella claim that encompasses all the 14 First Nations. The wildlife provisions are contained under one umbrella agreement. In our case in the Northwest Territories, we have the Inuvialuit land claims agreement, we have the Gwich'in, we have the Sahtu and now we have the Tlicho. We have the Deh Cho who are negotiating their own and Akaitcho, then the Northwest Territories Metis Nation and the different First Nations. It's a different scenario in the Yukon where they have one entity that they have to deal with. It's simpler and easier for them to do that. Likewise, in Nunavut they have just one organization. It's easier. In our case, we're going to have legal representation from the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in, the Sahtu, the Dogrib, perhaps the Deh Cho and Akaitcho. You're going to have about seven other aboriginal lawyers sitting with the Department of Justice drafting the legislation. It makes it very difficult. The approach that Cabinet has directed us to do -- it's a Cabinet decision, not mine alone -- is to continue to do the legislation the way we would normally do it through the Department of Justice. We draft it and we have close consultation with the aboriginal governments so they are aware of what we're doing. There's lots of information and communication back and forth. Until Cabinet makes a decision on allowing lawyers from the aboriginal governments to actually sit down and draft legislation, then this is the approach we're going to take. Thank you.
Jim Antoine on Question 430-14(6): Amendments To The Wildlife Act
In the Legislative Assembly on October 10th, 2003. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 430-14(6): Amendments To The Wildlife Act
Question 430-14(6): Amendments To The Wildlife Act
Item 6: Oral Questions
October 9th, 2003
Page 1414
Jim Antoine Nahendeh
See context to find out what was said next.