Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to report to this House on a number of important milestones reached at several of our land, resources and self-government negotiating tables over the past few months.

The Tlicho final comprehensive land claim agreement, which was initialed by the three chief negotiators in early March, is now in the process of being ratified. Tlicho members whose names are registered on the Tlicho voters list will vote to accept or reject the Tlicho agreement on June 26th and 27th.

Assuming the result is favourable, the Tlicho Treaty 11 Council, Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories will likely sign the final agreement in Rae-Edzo on August 22nd, during the Tlicho annual general assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho agreement is unique. It will be the first treaty in the Northwest Territories to address the inherent right of self-government. It is also the first claims agreement whose settlement area has extensive overlaps with lands used by other aboriginal people.

Following the signing ceremony, we intend to move forward with the process of implementing the agreement in earnest, including the tabling of legislation in the Legislative Assembly as soon as possible after the November election.

Mr. Speaker, on April 16, 2003, Premier Kakfwi joined President Fred Carmichael of the Gwich'in Tribal Council; Chairperson Nellie Cournoyea of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Honourable Robert Nault in signing the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit self-government agreement in principle for the Beaufort-Delta region at a celebration in Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, the agreement in principle is the first stand-alone self-government agreement in the history of the Northwest Territories. Negotiators for this government, the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit and Canada initialed it on October 3, 2002.

Mr. Speaker, negotiations for this self-government agreement in principle have been ongoing for more than five years. The agreement proposes a regional government that will represent and serve all residents in the Beaufort-Delta communities. It also proposes new community governments that will represent and serve all residents in each community. Finally, the agreement provides for regional aboriginal governments for the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit. These governments will enjoy increased law-making authority in jurisdictions such as education, social services, training, justice and municipal affairs.

Mr. Speaker, having reached this milestone in the implementation of self-government in the Northwest Territories, the three parties can continue negotiations towards a final agreement, implementation plans and financing agreements.

Mr. Speaker, a milestone has also been reached at the Deh Cho First Nation table as well. On April 17, 2003, the Honourable Robert Nault and Grand Chief Michael Nadli signed an interim resource development agreement. Under this agreement, the Deh Cho First Nations will be able to receive a share of royalties from resource extraction in the Mackenzie Valley before they have a final agreement. It also ensures that the Deh Cho First Nations will be consulted on the terms and conditions for new oil and gas exploration in the Deh Cho region, and be involved in the negotiation of impact and benefit agreements before any major mining project is approved.

On April 11th, the federal and Deh Cho land negotiators initialed 22 land withdrawal maps. The land withdrawal package includes a pipeline study corridor, restrictions on seismic work in certain areas, surface and subsurface, and some surface-only land withdrawals. With the conclusion of these agreements, the Deh Cho table can now focus its attention on negotiating a land, resources and self-government agreement in principle.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform Members about a new self-government negotiating process about to begin in the Sahtu region. Following on the heels of the completion of the Deline AIP, the community of Tulita has indicated that they are about to begin the process of negotiating their own self-government agreement. The first step will be the negotiation of a process and schedule agreement that will guide the negotiation of an agreement in principle. We expect that these negotiations will likely begin this summer.

Mr. Speaker, I would also note that we continue to make progress with negotiations at the Akaitcho and Northwest Territory Metis Nation negotiations and I hope to be able to report on similar achievements at these tables in future.

I believe that the milestones I have outlined above are important achievements in aboriginal rights negotiations in the Northwest Territories. On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in these negotiations from all parties. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

As a recent Conference Board of Canada report states, the manufacturing sector is one "that contributes more in net inflows to the economy as a basic industry or primary economic generator, than would a support industry."

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the importance of manufacturing to our economic development. We asked the Northwest Territories Business Advisory Panel to recommend methods for effectively assisting manufacturers in overcoming the competitive disadvantages facing their sector. These recommendations will help guide the development of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy.

The panel has delivered its report with recommendations on building a favourable environment for manufacturing in the Northwest Territories and cultivating growth in the manufacturing section.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the panel for its work. The report is comprehensive and clearly outlines the groundwork needed for the development of a manufacturing strategy for the NWT.

The next step is to gain additional input from industry, businesses, MLAs and other interested parties. Copies of the panel's report will be available from RWED regional offices and on the RWED web site. The department will develop an action plan based on this feedback.

Again, I would like to thank the Business Advisory Panel for its work on this issue. I am confident we will be able to develop a manufacturing strategy that will help further diversify our economy. Mahsi.

---Applause

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the discover of diamonds and a renewed interest in oil and natural gas have created a flurry of economic activity in the Northwest Territories as well as the highest rate of GDP growth in the country. During the next 25 years, this unprecedented growth is expected to continue.

However, not all sectors of our economy are well positioned to take advantage of this growth.

The manufacturing sector, for instance, is still in its infancy. In 2001, it contributed only $7 million, or .3 percent, to our GDP. Despite its lack of development, the manufacturing sector is very important to the Northwest Territories. As recent Conference Board of Canada report states the manufacturing section is one "that contributes more in net inflows to the economy as a basic industry or primary economic generator, than would a support industry."

Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the importance of manufacturing to our economic development. We asked the Northwest Territories Business Advisory Panel to recommend methods for effectively assisting manufacturers in overcoming the competitive disadvantages facing their sector. These recommendations will help guide the development of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy.

The panel has delivered its report with recommendations on building a favourable environment for manufacturing in the Northwest Territories and cultivating growth in the manufacturing section.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the panel for its work. The report is comprehensive and clearly outlines the groundwork needed for the development of a manufacturing strategy for the NWT.

The next step is to gain additional input from industry, businesses, MLAs and other interested parties. Copies of the panel's report will be available from RWED regional offices and on the RWED web site. The department will develop an action plan based on this feedback.

Again, I would like to thank the Business Advisory Panel for its work on this issue. I am confident we will be able to develop a manufacturing strategy that will help further diversify our economy. Mahsi.

---Applause