House of Commons Debates VOLUME 147 Ï NUMBER 049 Ï 2nd SESSION Ï 41st PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, February 14, 2014 Speaker: The Honourable Andrew Scheer CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 3039 HOUSE OF COMMONS Friday, February 14, 2014 The House met at 10 a.m. challenges will be the ones to have the final word on how public land is utilized, how water resources are managed, how mineral resources are developed and conserved, and how the environment is protected. Prayers I cannot overstate the significance of this change for the ability of the Northwest Territories to determine its own political and GOVERNMENT ORDERS economic future, but do not just take it from me. Ï (1005) [English] [Translation] NORTHWEST TERRITORIES DEVOLUTION ACT Premier Bob McLeod, of the Northwest Territories, said it best a Hon. Bernard Valcourt (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and couple of weeks ago before members of the Standing Committee on Northern Development, CPC) moved that Bill C-15, An Act to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development during committee replace the Northwest Territories Act to implement certain provi- hearings in Yellowknife. He described the bill as a game-changer for sions of the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution the people of the Northwest Territories. Agreement and to repeal or make amendments to the Territorial Lands Act, the Northwest Territories Waters Act, the Mackenzie He went on to say: Valley Resource Management Act, other Acts and certain orders and regulations be read the third time and passed. Devolution promises to usher in a new era of prosperity and opportunity for the people of the Northwest Territories. Supported by an efficient, effective, and He said: Mr. Speaker, today is Valentine's Day, so I will share my integrated regulatory regime, devolution will give northerners the necessary tools and time with the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands. authorities to responsibly develop the Territories' significant natural resource potential, promote investment and economic development, and manage the land I am honoured to speak to the House in support of Bill C-15, the and environment sustainably. Northwest Territories devolution act, which will really be a major milestone in the history not only of the Northwest Territories, but There is no doubt that passage of this legislation would bring also of our great and beautiful country. substantial new economic opportunities to the Northwest Territories. However, the true benefits of devolution will only be realized As the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, through a modern, efficient, and effective regulatory system that I have travelled across the country and throughout the north. I have would make the Northwest Territories a competitive and attractive talked with the warm and welcoming people who live in that vast, place to do business. amazing and resource-rich territory. I cannot overstate how important passing this bill is to the people That is why this legislation also puts in place an improved of the Northwest Territories, the people who live and work in that regulatory framework for the Northwest Territories that would magnificent place. For decades, the people of the north have been ensure that resource develop continues in a manner that respects the asking us to recognize them and give them the power to make environment while ensuring the long-term prosperity of the North- decisions about their lands and their resources. west Territories for generations to come. Canadians know that governance is a key pillar of our government's northern strategy. As the Prime Minister said recently, To see proof of economic opportunities derived from devolution “We want to be able to see northerners...masters of their own affairs and regulatory improvement, one need only look west to Yukon. to the same degree that southerners are”. That is the purpose of the Since achieving devolution in 2003, Yukon has experienced a bill before the House today: to give northerners more control over second gold rush of sorts, with investors and skilled labourers their own lives. streaming in from around the world to capitalize on the region's rich resources. As a result, the GDP of Yukon has grown every year for With the passage of this bill, the people most affected by decisions the past nine years and has exceeded Canada's rate of national annual will now be the ones to make them. The people with intimate growth eight times out of ten. Last year the territory's total GDP was knowledge of local priorities, local opportunities and local $2.5 billion, up more than $1 billion since devolution. 3040 COMMONS DEBATES February 14, 2014 Government Orders The Northwest Territories is equally endowed, as we all know, Ï (1015) with impressive renewable and non-renewable resources from the Hon. Bernard Valcourt: Mr. Speaker, the member will recall that Beaufort Sea to the Norman Wells oil field to the diamond mines of the target date for devolution was 2015. The Premier of the the southern Mackenzie Valley. It is no wonder the Conference Northwest Territories asked the Prime Minister of Canada to make Board of Canada predicts that the GDP of the Northwest Territories devolution earlier. could climb nearly $5 billion, to $9.6 billion, by 2020. The potential is there. However, one of the conditions for ensuring that devolution works to the advantage of northerners in the Northwest Territories was that The potential is there, but as former premier of the Northwest its regulatory regime be modernized, because we have seen what Territories, Floyd Roland, told the Norman Wells Chamber of happened in the Yukon, and we see what is happening south of 60. Commerce a couple of years ago, “The thing about potential is that that is all it is...until we take action and realize it”. It is our responsibility, as parliamentarians, to devolve without having a regulatory regime that is competitive. It should be equal to The Government of the Northwest Territories has assumed more that of the other territories. We know that in Nunavut, the work has control over province-like responsibilities, such as highways, been done. The work continues for Yukon. Devolution will work housing, health care, and education. The power to manage its land effectively here if that regulatory regime is amended. That is why we and natural resources is the last step in this long journey. incorporated it with devolution in the bill. To quote another great northerner, Robert Alexie, president of the I am sure that those who are concerned about— Gwich'in Tribal Council, “It's been a long road to get here, but well The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bruce Stanton): Order, please. There worth the trip”. being only five minutes for questions and comments, we will need to It has been a long road, and we would not be here today if it were move on to the next speaker. not for the impressive leadership of our Prime Minister and the The hon. member for Winnipeg North. Premier of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Since forming government in 2006, our Conservative government the Liberal Party recognizes the importance of devolution in certain has made the political and economic development of the north one of areas. We talk about our natural resources, land and water its key priorities. management, and the importance of regulations and so forth. By Ï (1010) moving in this direction, we are empowering more economic and social activity in a community we care passionately about. [Translation] I want to ask the minister how important it is that there be follow- Our government has made tremendous efforts, more than any through in ensuring that there are sound regulations and so forth, previous government, in partnership with the Government of the which we heard from the stakeholders, that would assist in the future Northwest Territories and aboriginal governments to get to where we prosperity of the community. It is something I think we would all are today. All northerners should be proud of their accomplishments. like to see. As the Prime Minister stated on his annual northern tour in August Hon. Bernard Valcourt: Mr. Speaker, the hon. member echoes 2012, “those who want to see the future of this country should look what we have been saying on this side of the House and what we north”. heard during the hearings in Yellowknife. It is a rare moment that we as parliamentarians are able to The importance of that regulatory system can best be understood participate in such a nation-building moment in Canada’s history and if I quote the president of Dominion Diamond Holdings Ltd., contribute to the culmination of the promise of Confederation. That Brendan Bell. He said: is what we are being called upon to do here, with the passage of this With respect to the regulatory improvement aspects of this bill, Dominion bill. Diamond is supportive of initiatives to ensure an effective but timely regulatory process. Specifically, we're encouraged that the Government of Canada is bringing I therefore urge all members of this House to join with the people forth changes that will ensure clarity and certainty in the review and assessment of of the Northwest Territories in achieving their political and economic proposed projects by establishing firm time limits for these reviews, similar to limits that exist in other regulatory processes. aspirations and pass this bill swiftly into law. [English] I submit, with respect to my learned friend, that this is how we can ensure that investors will look favourably at the Northwest Mrs. Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, Territories for investment. NDP): Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the minister's comments.