Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier, in follow-up to Mr. Braden's questions with respect to comments that the Premier recently made that were attributed to him in the media. I will just paraphrase; it was to the effect that without a resource revenue sharing agreement with Ottawa, the pipeline would not go ahead. I have to tell you I was somewhat surprised to read that, given some of our previous discussions, but I was pleased because I made it very clear in other communications with the Premier that I believe that for us to proceed without our rightful share of the royalties from our non-renewable resources is not a good deal for the Northwest Territories. Having said that, I also want to clarify that I am not against the pipeline. I am pro-development, but not at any cost and without the kinds of benefits in place for northerners that need to be in place before we proceed. Mr. Braden raised a good point when he said the diamonds are going out, the gas and oil activity is marching on and what incentive does the federal government have to come to the table to have the royalties discussion with us. What do we have at our disposal to bring them to that discussion? Thank you.
Jane Groenewegen on Question 212-15(3): Incentive For Devolution Negotiations
In the Legislative Assembly on October 13th, 2004. See this statement in context.
Question 212-15(3): Incentive For Devolution Negotiations
Item 6: Oral Questions
October 12th, 2004
Page 729
See context to find out what was said next.