Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Final Agreement represents an important step forward for the Northwest Territories and the people we serve through this Assembly.
As I have stated before, devolution of lands and resources will provide tremendous benefits to the people of the Northwest Territories. Devolution means that decisions made over public lands and resources in the Northwest Territories will be made here, by a more accessible, accountable and responsive government. Devolution means, finally, a direct benefit in the form of resource revenues will flow to the Northwest Territories and not just to Ottawa. Devolution also means that we will have the opportunity to work more closely and collaboratively with our partners, Aboriginal governments, in matters related to land and resources.
Devolution, once realized, will be a huge accomplishment and significant achievement. It is of such importance that this government will ensure that all residents of the Northwest Territories are informed of it. That is why, prior to the signing of the final agreement, we will undertake extensive public engagement unlike any we have done for previous devolutions.
While negotiations have been concluded, prior to deciding on whether to sign the Final NWT Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement, this Assembly will have the benefit of hearing the public views on devolution. Prior devolutions were negotiated and signed with very little community engagement. Indeed, all previous devolutions in the Northwest Territories were done without the participation of Aboriginal governments and made effective through program transfer agreements approved by the executive branches of government alone.
This devolution has been the subject of comprehensive negotiations over a dozen years. This devolution, unlike others, also included an agreement-in-principle that has been widely publicized and reviewed. Most importantly and most uniquely, this Devolution Agreement will be put before this Assembly where the elected representatives of all of the residents of the Northwest Territories will be asked to consider and approve it. We did not do that for the devolution of health, of airports, of highways, of forestry, or any previous devolution.
In light of the fact that this Devolution Agreement will be presented to the people of the Northwest Territories, who will have opportunity to comment on it through public information sessions and it will be put before this Assembly for approval, I see no reason to entertain the idea of a plebiscite.
The Government of the Northwest Territories will be asking the Members of this Assembly to participate in the public meetings held in their ridings so that Members can also hear directly from their constituents. It also makes no sense to ask the Commissioner to hold a plebiscite when we are already committed to having the elected representatives sitting in this House vote on the Devolution Agreement.
We are trying to reduce our dependence on Ottawa and take control of our own lands and resources. With all due respect, why would we ask the Commissioner, who is a federal appointee, to intervene in business that we want to see conducted in this Legislative Assembly?
Plebiscites are not binding. They are simply tools used to gauge public support. They are not the only tool to do that, and they certainly are not the most cost effective. Previous estimates for the cost of a plebiscite were approximately $1.8 million, and we know a significant amount of work and time with Elections Northwest Territories would be required. A plebiscite would delay the potential approval of this agreement, and a delay in approval could delay the potential transfer date. Each month of delay represents approximately $10 million in lost funding the Government of the Northwest Territories would receive under the agreement we have negotiated. We cannot afford to not move ahead.
As I mentioned, a plebiscite is not binding, so it does not relieve this government from having to make a decision. One of the great strengths of our government, and one of the reasons devolution will result in better land management, is that we are a small jurisdiction with a very accessible representative government. We can meet with, and work with, our constituents at a scale that other jurisdictions simply cannot do. Each Member of this Assembly holds a responsibility to do the work of considering the Devolution Agreement and weighing the views of the people they represent, and ultimately, each of us will be asked whether or not we support this Devolution Agreement. I invite all Members to join the Government of the Northwest Territories as we provide information sessions throughout the territory.
As I have stated, the Members of this Legislative Assembly will be asked to make a decision on devolution. We do not need a plebiscite in order to make such a decision, and for this reason, Cabinet cannot support the motion. Cabinet will be voting against this motion.