Yellowknife, NWT (July 11, 2005) - The Honourable Andy Scott,
Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Herb Norwegian, Grand Chief
of Dehcho First Nations, today announced an agreement that provides direction
for land, resource and governance negotiations under the Dehcho Process
and which cooperatively resolves issues related to the review of the Mackenzie
Gas Project (MGP).
"With this agreement, Canada's discussions with the Dehcho First
Nations on land, resources, and governance are back on track and will
proceed with renewed vigour ? and in turn generate greater certainty in
the Mackenzie Valley." said Minister Scott. "We are committed
to ensuring effective and meaningful participation of the Dehcho in both
the environmental assessment and regulatory review of the Mackenzie Gas
Project."
"This is a fair agreement which addresses some of our most urgent
concerns about the pipeline project. The agreement will end the litigation
begun by the Dehcho last year against Canada, but it does not mean that
the DFN support the pipeline." said Grand Chief Norwegian. "We
still have some very difficult negotiations ahead with the oil companies
that want access to our lands."
The agreement to end the litigation includes the following specific
features:
Agreement to establish a Dehcho Resource Management Authority (DCRMA),
as a body of public government, in a Final Agreement;
Canada will consult with the DFN before issuing any authorizations
or making any decisions relating to the MGP that might adversely affect
their section 35 rights, and, if appropriate, will accommodate DFN concerns;
Canada will consult with the DFN on terms and conditions for new
oil and gas exploration in the Dehcho territory;
Canada and the DFN will complete interim land withdrawal negotiations
in the Wrigley area to protect environmentally sensitive areas and identify
a pipeline study corridor;
Canada and the DFN agree to implement an approved and favourably
considered land use plan as soon as possible after the Plan's completion;
Canada will provide $15 million in economic development funding to
assist the DFN in exploring and developing business opportunities. This
funding will be taken into consideration in the Dehcho Process Final
Agreement. Canada will also provide $6 million for participation in
the environmental and regulatory review process;
Canada and the DFN agree in principle, that a process should be established
to monitor and recommend mitigation measures regarding environmental
assessment and socio-economic impacts of an approved MGP;
Agreement that the DFN discontinue existing legal actions related
to the MGP; and
Agreement on releases from the issues raised in litigation which
are directly related to the Mackenzie Gas Project.
"I am confident that with the signing of this agreement, the Dehcho
First Nations now have the capacity and resources they require to fully
engage in the Dehcho Process," said the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew,
Minister of State for Northern Development and Member of Parliament for
Western Arctic. "This means that the Dehcho will participate in the
review processes with respect to the Mackenzie Gas Project. They will
also have additional resources to develop economic opportunities in their
communities such as those that may arise from the pipeline."
Discussions are currently underway to finalize a workplan to resume Dehcho
Process negotiations. In the meantime, this Settlement Agreement provides
the Dehcho First Nations the tools they need to participate in the environmental
assessment and regulatory review processes of the Mackenzie Gas Project.
For further information contact:
Toni Riley
Communications
DIAND, NWT Region
(867) 669-2451
Grand Chief Herb Norwegian
Dehcho First Nations
(867) 695-2355
Campbell Morrison
Press Secretary
Minister Andy Scott's Office
(819) 997-0002
Chris Reid
Dehcho Process
Dehcho First Nations
(867) 695-2355
For a copy of the legal text of the Settlement Agreement, please contact
Jeff Campbell at INAC Media Relations at (819) 994-3932 or campbellj@inac.gc.ca
Backgrounder - Details respecting the Settlement Agreement
