Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the Members of this Assembly that we have reached an agreement with the Akaitcho Dene First Nations that clears the way...
---Applause
...for the GNWT to resume its participation in the Akaitcho process negotiations.
The ADFN and the GNWT have agreed on an interim withdrawal of 1034 hectares of Commissioner's land within the city of Yellowknife. The Interim Land Withdrawal Agreement is consistent with the objectives set out in the Interim Land Withdrawal Protocol signed by negotiators for the ADFN, the GNWT and the Government of Canada on November 21, 2005, as part of the Akaitcho process negotiations on land, resources and governance.
The interim land withdrawal will protect identified lands from being sold, leased or otherwise disposed of while negotiations are underway. This means that no new interests can be created on the withdrawn lands for a period of five years or until an Akaitcho final agreement is reached, whichever comes first. It also ensures that any existing interests on these lands are protected during the period of the withdrawal. The principles and process for these land withdrawal negotiations were laid out in the Interim Land Withdrawal Protocol.
Mr. Speaker, interim land withdrawal is an important step in a series of complex negotiations that must take place in order to reach an Akaitcho final agreement.
The interim land withdrawal creates positive benefits for the City of Yellowknife as the agreement we have reached will remove the legal uncertainty around the development of municipal lands within the city of Yellowknife, thereby allowing the city to better manage development pressures by ensuring access to the remaining Commissioner's lands within its municipal boundaries. The city was kept advised of progress during our discussions with the Akaitcho leading up to this agreement and they received a
full briefing this morning on the details of the interim land withdrawal.
I believe the agreement we have announced today through a negotiated settlement is a positive signal of the willingness of the parties to find solutions to difficult and complex issues. I am optimistic that this will serve us well as all parties continue the important work of reaching an agreement-in-principle at the Akaitcho process negotiations. I ask all Members to join Minister McLeod, the Akaitcho chiefs and me in a brief celebration in the Great Hall later this afternoon to commemorate this agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause