Thank you for the opportunity to speak to Bill 17, Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Resources Revenue Sharing Agreement Act. The introduction of this bill is an important step towards implementing the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement and fulfilling the commitment made to reflect our Resources Revenue Sharing Agreement in legislation.
The Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Resources Revenue Sharing Agreement stands as a testament to the Government of the Northwest Territories’ commitment to working with our Aboriginal government partners. Through devolution, the Government of the Northwest
Territories will collect resource revenues from public lands under its administration and control. From the resource revenues retained by our government, a share will be provided to participating Aboriginal governments. This Resources Revenue Sharing Agreement will provide direct benefits to Aboriginal governments for resource development activities throughout the onshore.
The goal, of course, is to help Aboriginal governments succeed because our Aboriginal government partners serve the Aboriginal people of the NWT, just as the Government of the Northwest Territories does. Helping Aboriginal governments succeed is sound investment because the successful governance of our partners benefits all of us.
The bill before us is short and sweet. It fulfills a commitment made in the NWT Intergovernmental Resources Revenue Sharing Agreement that requires the GNWT to recommend legislation providing for the sharing of the net fiscal benefit.
This bill fulfills that commitment and, in effect, will solemnize the pledge made by the GNWT to share resource revenue pursuant to the Intergovernmental Resources Revenue Sharing Agreement. This is something that this government supports, and reflects our vision of communities sharing in benefits of a prosperous NWT, and our goal of a strong and independent North built on partnerships.
Bill 17 is not mirrored legislation. The Resource Revenues Sharing Agreement reflects a “made-in-the-NWT” approach, and there is nothing similar in existing federal legislation. We have shared a draft of this legislation with the parties to the Resources Revenue Sharing Agreement.
I’m also happy to report that the Tlicho Government, one of our partners in this undertaking, passed its own law on February 20th that will implement the agreement on behalf of the Tlicho Government.
I would be pleased to answer any questions Members may have. Thank you.