Yellowknife, NWT
January 26, 2011
Check against delivery
Premier Roland, Ms. Cournoyea, honoured guests.
I'm delighted to be back here in Yellowknife, and to be participating in an event that is a historical milestone for this territory.
Today the Government of Canada is signing an Agreement-in-Principle with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation - an agreement that will bring the territory one step closer to devolution. This is an important development and one that has taken work.
This transfer of responsibilities to the territory has been a long shared goal of the federal and territorial governments. Devolving northern governance is a key pillar of our Government's Northern Strategy, and in last year's Speech from the Throne we renewed our commitment to providing Northerners with a greater say over their own future. The signing of this Agreement-in-Principle today represents a major step towards this goal.
Devolution will place more decision-making in the hands of the government and the people of the Northwest Territories. It will also ensure that a greater share of the royalties resulting from resource development will stay in the territory. And of course with decisions being made in the North by Northerners there will be more local control of decisions and more local accountability.
I think it's important to note that we aren't starting with a blank slate here. In the course of the past 30 years, powers and responsibilities for many programs and services have been transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories – powers and services that include the delivery of health care, social services, education, the administration of airports and forestry management.
With today's Agreement-in-Principle, we are taking the next important step in the transfer of province-like responsibilities to the territorial government.
These responsibilities will have a real impact on the long-term development of the Northwest Territories. They include such functions as the management of public lands, waters and resources.
I want to add that Aboriginal groups in the territory have had the opportunity to participate in or observe formal negotiating sessions since the beginning of the devolution process.
I am pleased that Ms. Cournoyea, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, is here today to sign this agreement. It is my sincere hope that other groups will be able to join us in the near future. I think it is important that all of our organizations work together to ensure this process moves ahead.
Of course, there is still a lot of work ahead of us. All parties will now be devoting their best efforts to the next phases of the devolution process – the final devolution agreement and the legislation that will transfer powers and responsibilities.
I am confident that with hard work, cooperation and ongoing dialogue we will reach a final agreement – one that will see this territory positioned for greater growth and prosperity, and one where residents here have greater control of their own future.
Thank you.
