Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the Northern Strategy. As Members know, this initiative represents an important opportunity for the Northwest Territories. The work we do now and over the next couple of months has the potential to shape the future of our territory for generations to come.
We start from the premise that a strong Northwest Territories is in the best economic, social and security interests of Canada and all Canadians. It is in this spirit that I participated with the Prime Minister and Premiers Fentie and Okalik in the launch of the Northern Strategy framework last December. It is also in this spirit that we intend to work towards a comprehensive Northern Strategy that addresses the priority issues facing this territory.
Over the next few months, through our consultations on the Northern Strategy, we have a real chance to reach common agreement on actions required to advance the priorities of the North generally and the Northwest Territories specifically. We are in a period of unprecedented economic development in the Northwest Territories, development that not only benefits our territory but the country as a whole. This development provides a unique opportunity to make the Northwest Territories a self-reliant territory.
The importance of the Mackenzie gas project to the long-term strategic interest of the Northwest Territories and the socioeconomic future of our people and communities cannot be overstated.
Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories fully supports this project. We support the work of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group in negotiating and taking an equity position in this project, the type of participation that would have been unheard of in the past projects of this magnitude. We support the negotiations between the Producers' Group and aboriginal organizations to negotiate access and benefit agreements that provide specific benefits to aboriginal people along the pipeline route. We support and remain fully committed to the joint panel process established to review it and to ensuring that northerners fully benefit from this development. We support and are partners in the work being done through programs such as the Aboriginal Skills Employment Program to train our residents to obtain employment in the oil and gas field.
But, Mr. Speaker, more remains to be done to prepare our territory for the pipeline and other oil and gas development. The people of this territory want to be sure our communities are ready for large-scale development, such as the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. This means investing in our communities and people to prepare for and help mitigate the infrastructure and social pressures that will accompany this development.
Even without the development of a pipeline, we know the program needs of our population for health care, housing, education and for other key social programs to continue to grow. The additional needs created by our rapidly expanding economy place an increased demand on our resources. The long-term implications for our territory are serious.
Mr. Speaker, these issues are not new. The Government of the Northwest Territories has consistently identified these issues as priorities over the past several years. We have clearly spelled out these challenges to the federal government at every available opportunity. The Northern Strategy is a valuable vehicle to reinforce this message and garner federal support and investment.
While Members of Cabinet will lay out more of the specifics about our response to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project tomorrow, I want to spend some time discussing the piece of the puzzle that remains to be completed, a fair devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement.
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Mr. Speaker, resolving this issue will ensure that northerners are the primary beneficiaries of the development of their resources. This means the federal government must step up to the plate and deliver on the Prime Minister's personal commitment at the launch of the Northern Strategy. This commitment was confirmed in his letter to me of February 9, 2005: "...to working collaboratively with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Aboriginal Summit to secure an agreement-in-principle on the devolution of lands and resources this spring and targeting conclusion of a final agreement in 2006." I believe this is a firm signal of Prime Minster Martin's commitment to the North.
Mr. Speaker, northern control of northern resources is the principle at the heart of our participation in the Northern Strategy. We believe any effective, sustainable strategy for the North must be based on the transfer of responsibility for northern lands and resources from the
federal government to northern governments. Equally important, this transfer must be accompanied by an agreement that makes northern governments the primary beneficiaries of the revenues generated by these northern resources.
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While the issue of northern control of its resources is at the heart of the Northern Strategy, the strategy goes well beyond this issue. The strategy is based on a number of key goals and objectives:
- • strengthening governance, partnerships and institutions;
- • establishing strong foundations for economic development;
- • protecting the environment;
- • building healthy and safe communities;
- • reinforcing sovereignty, national security and circumpolar cooperation;
- • preserving, revitalizing and promoting culture and identity; and,
- • developing northern science and research.
Mr. Speaker, these goals and objectives are not meant to be exhaustive. They are meant to be a starting point for the discussion with northerners on the elements that will comprise a final strategy.
The framework agreement I will table later today lays out examples of the objectives that may be pursued under each specific goal. For example, we have been working for many years to reach agreement with the federal government to remediate contaminated sites across the territory, to identify and protect sensitive environmental areas under the Protected Areas Strategy and to increase the use of cleaner energy sources such as hydroelectricity, natural gas and new technologies. We believe the Northern Strategy can confirm the commitment of and set a time frame for both governments to resolve these issues.
In our view, the initial goals and objectives set out in the Northern Strategy framework are consistent with many of the priorities contained in the strategic plan developed at the beginning of our term. Members of Cabinet are prepared to speak in more detail to these specific priorities during debate on this strategy.
Mr. Speaker, when completed, the Northern Strategy will be comprised of two sections. The pan-territorial section will focus on matters that span all three territories such as sovereignty, security and climate change. The second section will deal with issues specific to individual territories such as those that I have spoken about today.
In order for the strategy to be successful, the federal government will need to make new, long-term investments in the North. The Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to insist that the Northern Strategy include resources to implement agreed upon actions.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to speak about the $120 million fund the federal government announced at the launch of the development of the Northern Strategy. The GNWT share will be $450 million. We anticipate this funding will be available in June or July.
These funds may be drawn down and used at the sole discretion of each of the three territories. It is our intention to utilize this funding to address urgent community needs. Over the coming months, we will be consulting with Members of this Legislative Assembly on the priority areas for investment. We are also committed to consulting aboriginal leaders with respect to decisions about where the money can best be used.
Mr. Speaker, I am very much looking forward to hearing the views of the Members of this Legislative Assembly on the Northern Strategy. Over the next several months, we will also be meeting with aboriginal governments, stakeholder groups and the general public to get their input on all aspects of the Northern Strategy.
Consultations with stakeholder groups will be initiated from my office in the days and weeks ahead. In addition, an advertising campaign and information package is being prepared that will be available to stakeholders and the general public in March. It is our hope that a draft document can be ready for discussion at the Circle of Northern Leaders' meeting scheduled for April 2005 in Inuvik.
We also intend to collaborate closely on these consultations with the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, the Honourable Andy Scott; and our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew. I am pleased that Minister Scott will be travelling to the Northwest Territories next month and will be joining Minister Blondin-Andrew and myself in a series of consultations on the Northern Strategy. I am also optimistic we will see more federal Ministers paying attention to issues of concern to the Northwest Territories over the coming months.
Mr. Speaker, the Northern Strategy is a positive development for the Northwest Territories. I believe we have already begun to see some public awareness changes due to this initiative. Northern issues are receiving quite a bit of attention recently. With the recent Canadian Public Affairs Channel documentary on the Northwest Territories aspirations for greater self-reliance, the possibility of Peter Mansbridge coming North with 'The National' next month and even the humorous coverage on the 'Monday Report' with Rick Mercer, our message is getting out to Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has made the Northern Strategy a major personal and political commitment. We have worked hard to get this commitment. I believe we must now work together to identify and move forward with our priorities for the Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories is our home and it is up to us to shape its future. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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