I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on March 30, 2004, regarding implementation of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement.
The Member asked if the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs has conducted any reviews of the economic measures chapters of other land claim agreements in the Northwest Territories. Pursuant to the Sahtu economic measures chapter, Government of the Northwest Territories departments participated in joint reviews with the Sahtu and Canada in 1998 and 2001. Because the Gwich'in economic measures chapter is virtually identical, the Gwich'in also participated in these joint reviews. The Inuvialuit, Government of Canada and GNWT recently completed a comprehensive review of the Inuvialuit economic measures chapter. The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs coordinated GNWT participation in these reviews.
The Member also asked if the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs had a report card identifying the status of GNWT implementation activities. The ministry represents the GNWT on the Sahtu Implementation Committee, which meets three times per year. At each meeting, the GNWT provides the Sahtu and Canada members with a status report that highlights current status of all GNWT implementation activities. The Implementation Committee also produces an annual report that includes previous years' accomplishments and outstanding issues as identified by any one of the parties. The Sahtu, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit implementation committees have agreed to review the format of the annual reports in anticipation of making the reports more results-based.
Specific to economic measures, the Sahtu and Gwich'in Implementation Committees have recognized that measuring effectiveness of economic development programs is problematic. The Sahtu, Gwich'in, Canada and the GNWT are designing a framework, that will assist government departments with determining effectiveness of their programs, as they related to the economic measures objectives in the Sahtu and Gwich'in land claim agreements. Canada and the GNWT are cost sharing this initiative.
The Member's final question was how many of the economic measures obligations have been implemented in the Sahtu settlement area. With respect to GNWT activities, the GNWT continues to be committed to
implementing all of its land claim obligations and reports progress on a regular basis through the Sahtu Implementation Committee.
Specific to economic measures, GNWT departments are implementing all provisions of this chapter through their ongoing programs and policies, as directed in the economic measures chapter.
The following are some examples of GNWT programs that support the economic measures objectives pursuant to section 12.1 of the economic measures chapter.
The Trappers' Assistance Program and the Fur Purchase Program support the traditional economy of Sahtu participants.
Assistance in the development of commercially viable businesses and enterprises of Sahtu participants is provided through programs such as the business development fund, grants to small businesses, the NWT Development Corporation and the NWT Business Credit Corporation. These programs can be accessed through the local economic development officer, the regional business development officer, or the Sahtu Business Development Centre.
The provision of business and economic training and educational assistant to Sahtu participants is offered through GNWT regional offices, including assisting with development of applications, aftercare and related information services. The Community Futures Development Corporation also provides aftercare and mentoring services. The GNWT, in partnership with industry and others, utilize the maximizing northern employment program for regional training initiatives.
The GNWT continues to work together with agencies and the business sector to develop the employment skills and opportunities for Sahtu participants through programs such as: training on the job programs for apprentices and non-apprentices, pre-apprenticeship training the pipeline operations training program.
In support of the economic measures objectives, the GNWT affirmative action policy promotes and encourages the employment of Sahtu participants. Also, in 1996, the GNWT initiated a review of all job descriptions to determine the require knowledge, skills and abilities for each job. This review was intended to remove inappropriate requirements in respect of cultural factors, experience or education.
The GNWT is also committed to consulting with the Sahtu when proposing economic development programs related to the economic measures objectives.
With respect to 12.2 of the economic measures chapter, when the GNWT carries out public activities in the Sahtu settlement area which give rise to employment or other economic opportunities and the GNWT elects to enter into contracts with respect to those activities the GNWT preferential contracting policies and procedures intended to maximize local, regional and northern employment and business opportunities are followed. The business incentive policy is an economic policy of the GNWT primarily targeted to support and create opportunities for community-based smaller businesses.
The GNWT contract registry and reporting system, which applies to all government departments, came into effect April 1, 2004. This system will be able to produce reports on contracts awarded specifically to Sahtu businesses.
The GNWT is committed to consulting with the Sahtu when developing modifications to its preferential contracting policies and procedures. The Sahtu Secretariat was involved in extensive consultations during the business incentive policy review, which concluded last fall.
Finally, with respect to the final activity under 12.2, if the GNWT elects to enter into contracts with respect to activities on Sahtu-owned settlement lands without going to public tender, participants will be given first opportunity to negotiate such contracts, provided they satisfy all criteria particular to the contract.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT continues to be committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the economic measures chapter of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement. GNWT economic development programs will continue to support these very important economic measures objectives.