Ottawa (September 5, 2008) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut, and Paul K Kaludjak, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, today signed a Protocol that moves Nunavut one step closer to assuming province-like resource management responsibilities.
"Our Government's Northern Strategy includes a commitment to i mprove and devolve northern governance so that Northerners have greater control over their own destinies," said Minister Strahl. "This Protocol is all about honouring this commitment and working with our partners in Nunavut to place decision-m aking in the hands of the people of the territory."
"We are very pleased to see this progress towards undertaking full negotiations," said Premier Okalik. "This Protocol is advancing our collective interests and it is an im portant step towards Nunavut's greater self-reliance."
Paul Kaludjak, the President of NTI, said "We look forward to taking part in these negotiations to ensure that the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement is respected throughout the process. We see these negotiations as critical to the long terms interests of Inuit and of Nunavut as a whole."
Devolution is the transfer of province-like responsibility for lands and resour ce management from the federal government to the territory. The Protocol will serve as a framework that will guide all three parties once devolution negotiations begin. It was jointly developed by the Governments of Canada and Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngav ik Incorporated.
The Protocol proposes a phased approach to devolution negotiations. Negotiations would begin with onshore Crown lands and mineral management, with a commitment from all parties to discuss oil and gas resource management at a futu re phase of negotiations. The Protocol also proposes a human resources strategy be developed parallel to the devolution negotiations to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and service delivery.
For further information please contact:
Minister's Office
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002
Med ia Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160
Maria O'Hearn
Press Secretary
Office of Pre mier Paul Okalik
867-975-5059
Franco Buscemi
A/Director Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
867-975-4939
