Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we know, the NWT is blessed with an abundance of water. From mighty waterways like the Deh Cho to countless freshwater lakes and rivers. We rely on our water for fishing, drinking, and recreation.
Mr. Speaker, water is simple: it flows downhill. It can't be constrained by the artificial boundaries and jurisdictions we humans create. These have resulted in a complex management regime that is anything but simple. We are stewards of this vital resource, and I am worried about how well the system is working.
Interest in offshore exploration and development in the Beaufort Sea will only grow as more accessible oil and gas resources are depleted. A recent unilateral decision by Canada to place a moratorium on this development is in direct contravention of the Devolution Agreement. It is also inconsistent with the right of Aboriginal governments to self-determination, especially the Inuvialuit, who have inhabited the coast of the Beaufort Sea since the dawn of time. Some would say the moratorium will protect our coastal waters. I agree, but without the input of the people who live there is it the right decision? Or was it made for political reasons that have little to do with water?
Mr. Speaker, when I reflect on this, I have to wonder if the federal government is living up to its responsibilities for water management in the NWT. I'm troubled by the fact that there are only two fisheries officers for the entire NWT, which has a land mass of 1.3 million square kilometres.
I never thought I'd say this, Mr. Speaker, but it leaves me wondering if the GNWT should have a greater responsibility for our water resources. Except for Environment Canada's federal roles and responsibilities under the Canada Water Act, water resources have been transferred to the provincial governments.
The GNWT already manages the NWT's inland and offshore water resources through the administration and co-management of the Northwest Territories Waters Act, the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.
Whatever we choose to do in the longer term, we shouldn't be satisfied for another day with only two DFO officers monitoring our fisheries. I would encourage my Cabinet colleagues to work with their federal counterparts to fix this now, and to consider over the time whether the GNWT should take over a greater role for water management. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.