The Member asked whether all of the parties are now fully engaged in devolution negotiations. While the parties are all engaged in the overall negotiation process of working towards an agreement-in-principle, the Aboriginal Summit is recruiting a new chief negotiator and doing some internal work on their mandate. Consequently, Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have agreed to the summit's request to postpone the next negotiations session until April. In the meantime, the GNWT officials continue to undertake the necessary research, analysis and other internal work required for the negotiation of an agreement-in-principle.
The Member also asked about whether the previously agreed to negotiation schedule with a target date for the implementation of a final devolution agreement by 2006 is still achievable.
I believe we can still achieve the targets for a final agreement and effective date as set out in the framework agreement. Although the target date for an agreement-in-principle specified in the framework agreement has passed, all parties have committed to an agreement-in-principle for the summer of 2004.
This should not affect the other target dates for a final agreement in 2005 and an effective date of 2006.
The Member enquired about the mandate of the GNWT negotiations in this critical process. The previous government approved a general negotiations mandate. The mandate will continue to be reviewed and amended as negotiations progress and to ensure our negotiators will pursue the priorities of this government. As major changes to the mandate are considered, I will ensure that Members of this Assembly will have input because, as the Member rightly pointed out, this is a critical negotiation process and all of us need to work together to ensure success.