Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today on the Department of Lands’ role in the new regulatory regime in the Northwest Territories post-devolution. The NWT Devolution of Lands and Resources Agreement will bring significant changes to the Northwest Territories. The Department of Lands has a key role in ensuring that the sustainable use of public land reflects the priorities and values of Northerners.

The Department of Lands will support, manage, protect and administer the sustainable use of public land in the Northwest Territories. It will assume land management responsibilities being transferred from

the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Legislation called for in the Devolution Agreement, which the department will administer, has already been introduced in the Assembly and is a major step in the final preparations to assume new responsibilities for public land on April 1st .

The proposed Northwest Territories Lands Act is a mirror of the federal Territorial Lands Act, which will no longer apply to Territorial lands on April 1, 2014. The Northwest Territories Lands Act is intended to provide the GNWT with the authority to manage all surface lands dispositions, such as sales and leasing, on Territorial lands.

The Department of Lands will also be responsible for inspections, enforcement and policy development for these lands.

The Department of Lands will also be responsible for administering the Government of the Northwest Territories’ new authorities under the proposed Surface Rights Board Act. This act will establish a Surface Rights Board that will resolve disputes related to land access and related compensation when a negotiated agreement cannot be reached.

The Northwest Territories Lands Act and the Surface Rights Board Act will form part of an integrated regulatory system in the Northwest Territories along with the delegations in the federal Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Delegated authorities under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act will include designation of inspectors, and managing, administering and holding securities related to land use permits in the Mackenzie Valley as well as powers, duties, functions and coordination of project assessment.

The Department of Lands will be responsible for coordinating and conducting project assessments on public lands in the Northwest Territories, functioning as a “single window” for development applications.

As the Government of the Northwest Territories assumes its land management responsibilities after devolution, we will be guided by a critical policy foundation: the GNWT Land Use and Sustainability Framework. Mr. Speaker, as Members heard when the Land Use and Sustainability Framework was tabled on Monday, February 24th , the principles set

out in the framework will guide this government in making responsible and responsive decisions about land use and land management. Our decisions will be balanced and sustainable, considering ecological, social, cultural and economic values.

The framework recognizes that the GNWT is only one partner in an integrated land management system and provides for decision-making that is respectful of Aboriginal and treaty rights as well as third-party land interests and legal rights.

The Land Use and Sustainability Framework is one part of a broader legislative and policy framework to ensure that we are ready to manage our new authorities and responsibilities.

We are undergoing final preparations to assume new responsibilities for public lands on April 1st .

This is an exciting time, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to working together to manage the lands in the Northwest Territories for the benefit of current and future generations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.