This is page numbers 1397 - 1454 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was tlicho.

Topics

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Antoine.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mr. Chairman, from the previous question, there are other non-Tlicho residents in the Tlicho area as well, and I should add that to be clear.

To this question specifically, the Tlicho have already ratified their agreement through their vote this summer, so their part is done. Our part is not done. We're doing it now, part of it, there are two other pieces that still have to be done in the next government, but this is the main one that will eventually be the first to give effect.

The federal government still has to introduce their legislation. We understand it's going to happen in December, and they'll go through the House of Commons and Senate to ratify it. So this is part of our ratification process. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Mr. Krutko.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

I was just going to ask a question of the Minister with regard to the land claims expenses that have been incurred. Is this government going to pay any of the $28 million that the Tlicho people will have to pay for those negotiations? Is the Government of the Northwest Territories picking up any of that tab?

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Mr. Krutko, I don't think finances are included in clause 4. Mr. Krutko.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Well, the way I understand the agreement, this is part and parcel of the Tlicho agreement, and this is a clause that applies to the general...(inaudible)...of the agreement, and there is a payback provision in the agreement which talks about monies that have to be paid back for negotiations, as part of the payback division. So it is a part of the Tlicho agreement. So if I can't ask that question, I think you should stick to your rules and apply them to everybody.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Mr. Krutko, could you say which part of the agreement you're referring to?

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

It does apply to 4.1, the effect of the Tlicho agreement. The Tlicho agreement is the overall agreement. In that agreement there is a section that talks about a payback where Tlicho people would have to pay back some $28 million for the negotiations that have occurred to date. So they are part of not only the cash settlement, but they will also have to pay back those negotiated loans. It is part of the Tlicho agreement.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Krutko, could you define what part of the Tlicho agreement you're referring to so I can refer to the Minister? Mr. Krutko.

Maybe I'll ask the Minister if he is aware of the section that Mr. Krutko is referring to. Mr. Antoine.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Yes, Mr. Chairman, in regard to the financial payments. The funding of this claims process was done through a program that the federal government has in their comprehensive claims policy, where they advance funding to the claimant groups that will eventually come out of the overall compensation of their claim. So it's an advance on their claim through the federal program. So the GNWT doesn't provide any assistance in that area. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. The chair will recognize Mr. Roland.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, as the Minister stated, we are going through our territorial ratification process, and he stated yesterday that by giving effect to clause 4 and ratifying it in this House, it sets a huge trend to the rest of the Northwest Territories. Although I am asking questions more for the public record on this process, I think it is good for the rest of the citizens of the North and those people I represent, because self-governments are happening all over the rest of the Northwest Territories and this could impact them and the services available if the funding situation gets difficult. I know for the government right now, for example, we're paying in the area of millions of dollars for our staff to take part in the negotiations, which is a good thing we've done.

But based on that, there's one other question, Mr. Chairman, that I'd like to know. By giving effect to this agreement in clause 4, are we tying our hands as the Government of the Northwest Territories to any further agreements with Canada in the area of devolution?

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Antoine.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mr. Chairman, I just want to make a general statement first and then reply just to put it in context. Whenever there's a claim negotiated, in this case the Tlicho agreement, there are a set of rules that are set out in the agreement. This clause wants to ensure that everybody who is going to be involved, like the boards and others, abide by these rules. In this way it's focused on the Tlicho and whoever is involved close to their area. The Tlicho are involved in the whole devolution and resource revenue sharing as a separate type of a process, and at this stage we don't anticipate any negative repercussions because of ratifying this Tlicho claim. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Mr. Roland.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes the areas I had particular comments or questions that I wanted to get out for the record for my constituents and that deals with the areas that I have for clause 4. Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Clause 4.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Clause 5. Agreed?

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Clause 6. Agreed?

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1443

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Clause 7. Mr. Roland.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just one question in the area of clause 7 and it refers to this government and I believe the appropriations this Assembly makes. Can the Minister inform us as to what is referenced there as to such sums that are required to be paid out of monies appropriated from the consolidated revenue fund? Is that process going to take part as we are accustomed to through budget planning and main estimate reviews? Thank you.

Bill 34: Tlicho Land Claims And Self-government Agreement Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1444

The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Antoine.