Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the past two days, I have been away meeting with my colleagues at the Western Premiers' Conference which was held at Kelowna, British Columbia. Before I left, I indicated to you there were three issues of particular importance to our government and the Northwest Territories: diamonds, devolution and federal economic development funding in the North. Today I would like to report on the progress made at the conference.
I am pleased that we secured the support of the western Premiers to work together to launch a national diamond strategy for the expansion of Canada's growing diamond industry.
In an effort to ensure that Canadians receive the full benefit of Canada's diamond resource, Premiers agreed that a national diamond strategy which addresses exploration, mining and value-added is required.
We also agreed to invite the federal government to join all the provinces and territories in the development of a Canadian diamond strategy including the open exchange of issues associated with the promotion of a Canadian secondary diamond industry.
Another important topic of interest to all Premiers was how to improve the provincial and territorial relationship with the federal government. We agreed that improvements could be made without constitutional change. For example, annual First Ministers' meetings with jointly negotiated agendas would be an important first step to improving federal/provincial/territorial relations. I am proud to report to you that my colleagues have lent their unequivocal support to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to negotiate a fair devolution agreement with the federal government, which includes a fair share of resource revenues. All Premiers agreed that the territories, like provinces, should manage and control their resources and benefit from their development. Premiers also agreed upon initiatives on Senate reform and participation in international negotiations.
The three territories continue to be the only jurisdictions in Canada without a federally funded economic development program. Premier Fentie and I lent our support to Premier Okalik, who succeeded in securing western Premiers' support for northern economic development agreements.
A major issue for the western Premiers was BSE, mad cow disease. Premiers recognized that the closure of the American border has had an impact not only on the cattle industry, but also on the outfitting industry as the export of wild meat to the US has been banned. Premiers called upon the federal government to take immediate action to open the border as soon as possible. Our Ministers, federal/provincial/territorial, of Agriculture will meet in Vancouver on Friday, to continue discussions.
Mr. Speaker, healthcare funding also continues to be a priority issue for western Premiers and they called upon the federal government to increase its share of healthcare funding in line with what was identified in the Romanow report.
I was encouraged with the sense of cooperation among western Premiers to deal with difficult issues. I look forward to further advancing the interests of the NWT at the annual Western Premiers' Conference next year in Inuvik and as well at the beginning of July at the Annual Premiers' Conference which will be held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Thank you.
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