Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS, the people of the Northwest Territories desire a self-reliant future within the Canadian federation to enjoy the same freedoms as other Canadians in determining their own affairs and priorities;
AND WHEREAS the people of the Northwest Territories desire to have a prosperous future for ourselves and our children, based on the wise management and sharing of the wealth of our lands and waters, and the hard work and the resourcefulness of our people;
AND WHEREAS the anticipated royalties and taxes resulting from current and prosperous mineral and hydrocarbon resource development could amount to an estimated $20 billion within the next 20 years, of which northern governments will receive little or nothing in the absence of a resource revenue sharing agreement;
AND WHEREAS the gross domestic product of the Northwest Territories increased by 71 percent in the last six years, eclipsing even Alberta by almost three times, and has the potential to continue at an accelerated pace;
AND WHEREAS the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, told the people of the Northwest Territories on August 22, 2006: "It is time we begin to hear the call of a New North - a North that is
stronger, more prosperous and liberated from the paternalistic policies of the past";
AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has recently appointed a new negotiator with a mandate to arrive at an agreement-in-principle between Canada, the Northwest Territories and aboriginal governments for the devolution of resource development authorities and the sharing of resource royalties;
AND WHEREAS it is entirely within the power of the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Northwest Territories aboriginal governments to arrive at a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Northwest Territories aboriginal governments reach a fair and equitable agreement-in-principle before the next federal budget;
AND FURTHER, that, for the sake of future generations of northerners, all northern leaders set aside their differences and work together to achieve an agreement that will stop the flood of resource revenues leaving the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause