Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to take some time this afternoon to set the context for the debate on the Northern Strategy. Then the Minister of Finance will speak on some of the specific financial issues we face. I want to say that, while one of the most important tasks that we have as MLAs is to deal with our constituents and with specific issues that are of importance to them, we cannot ever forget that we also have a responsibility to take a lead on charting the course of the Northwest Territories over the next number of generations.
I believe the impact of decisions that we make as a government over the next couple of years is huge, because they will determine like never before in our history the direction that we take. The Northern Strategy provides a unique opportunity for northerners to involve themselves in discussion of the policy issues that shape the future of this territory; not just the next three or four years, but for generations. The potential of our territory is unlimited. I believe, and this government believes, that if we do it right, the Northwest Territories has the potential to be a have territory. The Northern Strategy can provide us with even more tools to allow our territory to grow politically, economically and socially.
To achieve this, devolution and resource revenue sharing must be at the heart of the Northern Strategy. We have an opportunity, through the management of our resources, to find that balance between economic development and environmental protection, to ensure northerners are primary beneficiaries of the development of northern resources, to diversify our economy in a way that limits the boom-and-bust cycle resulting from resource development, and to become a contributing member of the federation. It has been noted many times in the Legislative Assembly that our government has limited fiscal flexibility. Although we are doing what we can to mitigate the negative impacts associated with development, we cannot do it alone, especially for projects such as the Mackenzie gas project.
Madam Chair, I want to be absolutely clear that this government fully supports the Mackenzie Valley project. We support the Aboriginal Pipeline Group in negotiating taking an equity position in this project; something that would have been unheard of in the past projects of this magnitude. We support the work that is being done by the Producers' Group to negotiate access and benefit agreements. We support the Joint Review Panel process in reviewing this project. The piece that remains to be completed, and I repeat, is a fair devolution through a resource revenue sharing agreement. To accomplish this to ensure that northerners are primary beneficiaries of their resources, the federal government must step up to the plate. This means delivering on the Prime Minister's commitment to make substantial progress on this file by spring and a final agreement in 2006. We are concerned that without this commitment from the federal government, support for the pipeline in the territory will fade. That is why we need to stand united and continue to make the case that federal investments in the North are in the national interest.
We don't have much time for the North to compete with many other priorities in Ottawa. Nevertheless, we want to be as inclusive as possible in the development of the Northern Strategy. We have and will continue to engage northern leaders and key stakeholders over the next few months, respecting the vision, priorities and actions contemplated in the context of the Northern Strategy. Today, we look to you to hear the views of the Members
on how to proceed. Guided by the seven goals proposed in the Northern Strategy framework document, my colleagues and I would like to share some ideas of types of actions and initiatives we might want to pursue under each of the categories. I want to ensure that any initiative or action we pursue in the Northern Strategy are consistent with and built on the hard work we have done together in developing the strategic plan.
For example, under the Northern Strategy framework goal titled Strengthening Governance, Partnerships and Institutions, we must have a completed AIP on devolution and resource revenue sharing by spring 2005 for the Northern Strategy to have any relevance to the Northwest Territories. What this means specifically is obtaining the administration and control of public lands and waters and related jurisdictions and authorities normally held by a province, which are currently administered by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Northern Developments, Northern Affairs Program and the National Energy Board.
It means creating an effective, efficient coordinated resource management regime in the Northwest Territories that fosters sustainable development and provides certainty of process and outcomes. It also means receiving an adequate net fiscal benefit from resource revenue to provide for the provisions of necessary programs and services by Northwest Territories governments, and incentive for continued development.
In the Northern Strategy, devolution of resource revenue sharing is about nation building, about making the Northwest Territories self-sufficient and self-determined. However, a key component of any nation building in the Northwest Territories must include aboriginal people's desire to be self-determining. Emerging aboriginal self-governments will also need the resources to implement their self-government agreements. They will require the fiscal resources to provide programs and services, invest in infrastructure and maintain flexibility to address their own priorities; similar to other governments. This will be critical as you move away from the negotiation-type relationship with aboriginal governments, to a mutually-respectful intergovernmental relationship. Ultimately, it will be up to the Government of the Northwest Territories and aboriginal governments, in partnership, to fully realize the vision of a strong, unified self-reliant Northwest Territories.
Under the goal of establishing strong foundations for economic development, I want us to think about what inputs are critical to building a strong economy and what actions could help us diversify our economy. The NWT is facing an unprecedented rate of economic growth, but often the benefits of resource development are not felt equitably throughout the Northwest Territories, so we need to diversify our economy and level the playing field. Appropriate infrastructures such as transportation and communication are needed to support economic development and provide access to resources. Research and baseline data related to resources will assist in identifying opportunities for growth in various sectors. Tourism is a major opportunity to diversify our economy, particularly in our smaller communities. Tourism requires sustainable development for product development and marketing and a Northern Strategy can be a vehicle to advance this.
For example, while we have been successful in getting development in our non-renewable resource sector, we also need to focus attention on our renewable resources; one of the biggest ones is hydro energy. As Members are aware, the NWT is at a critical stage with respect to development of NWT hydroelectric resources. We have made the required investments up to this point, but now require additional resources for detailed engineering and environmental feasibility studies. Federal investments in hydro development appear to be ideally suited for inclusion in the strategy. There is a level of awareness of our potential within the federal government in Ottawa as well. The response has been very positive. Investments in hydro development can fit many federal programs, from Kyoto implementation and environmental funding, to infrastructure and economic development funding.
Under the goal of protecting the environment, there are opportunities for both the Territories and federal government to work together on various environmental issues, such as climate change and contaminant cleanup programs. There is a need to establish a monitoring and mitigation regime for the biophysical environment. Past environmental management practices have left an undesirable legacy of a number of contaminant sites in the Northwest Territories which must be addressed.
Under the goal of building healthy and safe communities, we need to work on priority issues such as healthy lifestyles, building community infrastructure and improving housing for our residents. Our government has re-affirmed its commitment to support a healthy lifestyle. Together with other social program departments, we are working to engage our federal counterparts to proceed with active living and healthy choices programming for all northerners.
We were pleased with the recent announcement of the federal government on MRIF and the new federal deal which will provide full GST rebate and a portion of federal gas tax revenues to communities. Both of these are welcome. Together with the commitment made by our government in the budget on additional funding for community infrastructure, we believe we are beginning to address the infrastructure deficit we have in many of our communities.
Under the goal of reinforcing sovereignty, national security and circumpolar cooperation, we are looking to engage the federal government on issues such as security and surveillance in the North, reinforcing Canada's sovereignty in the North, effective northern-based search and rescue capacity and leadership in matters of circumpolar cooperation.
Under the goal of preserving, revitalizing and promoting culture and identity, we can discuss issues of critical importance to northerners; issues such as the preservation and promotion of aboriginal languages for present and future generations; recognition and promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity of people in the North; promotion of the use of traditional knowledge and practices in northern decision-making; and, preservation and promotion of our unique northern history and culture.
Under the goal of developing northern science and research, there are opportunities for better coordination to set pan-territorial research and management agendas using a more collaborative ecosystem-based and integrated approach. Northern boreal forests are a unique
NWT resource. Knowledge of our forest, lands and environment is incomplete, and we need assistance to understand the impact on our wildlife habitat.
Large-scale development projects, in the past, have identified gaps and have promoted considerable research. Land-use planning efforts often identify further research needs. Programming specific to vegetation inventories, forest productivity, and ecological land classification require greater support. A cooperative approach is required to gather all of the baseline data prior to any major development.
I have only touched on the surface of the issues that can be addressed through a Northern Strategy process. There are many critical issues that I have not addressed due to the time constraints today. I know that Members of the Legislative Assembly will raise many of these issues. I look forward to hearing your views on the issues that we should consider in the development of a Northern Strategy.
I also want to take this opportunity to encourage fellow MLAs to seek input from their constituents and from other stakeholders in their communities. Thank you, Madam Chair.