Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the benefit of viewers in Inuvik Twin Lakes, I just want to say that I am glad to be back today after a bout of the flu for the last several days. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about how great it is to have the Government of the Northwest Territories sign with the large corporations that are developing our diamond mine industry. Now we have negotiations with a potential oil and gas industry in the Mackenzie Valley. The agreements are often referred to as EAs. Mr. Speaker, I am not talking about IBAs, or impact benefit agreements, signed between aboriginal governments and the industry. What needs somebody's attention is the framework used by the Government of the Northwest Territories in developing these documents.
Mr. Speaker, to date I can only reference the Norman Wells pipeline project and the BHP and Diavik projects in recent history having socioeconomic agreements signed. I received press releases issued last Friday by the
Government of the Northwest Territories saying they have clearly negotiated full federal support for the plan.
Mr. Speaker, it should be of concern to the people of the Northwest Territories that the agreement to support the secondary diamond industry has been sealed. This does not give us any confidence that all obligations will ever be fulfilled under the sub-agreement which cannot be devolved due to a confidentiality commitment.
Mr. Speaker, this is something that is always prior to celebrating an opening carnival for people of the North. By sealing something such as a sub-agreement does not allow this to happen. Mr. Speaker, these agreements are merely a vehicle for the Government of the Northwest Territories to intersect with industry and through to the federal government whereby we can be involved in the process that addresses our socioeconomic liability.
Mr. Speaker, the importance of this document is very high. The pipeline talks are happening so these agreements will be negotiated. As in March, when this government was not at the environmental impact assessment workshop in which the Minister replied that RWED was not invited, then how does this government expect to negotiate a compatible, favourable agreement with the oil and gas sector federal agency that will not observe such important workshops? Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister on how open these agreements are, how they will be monitored, and the long-term impact they will have on our government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause