June 3, 2014 - Ottawa, ON - Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
As part of its comprehensive plan to spur economic development in Canada's North, the Government of Canada today introduced Bill S-6, Yukon and Nunavut Regulatory Improvement Act, in the Senate. This proposed legislation, which includes amendments to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) and the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act, will enhance, improve, and modernize Northern regulatory regimes and ensure consistency with other regulatory regimes across the North and in the rest of Canada.
Today’s introduction of Bill S-6 will complement Bill C-47, an Act to enact the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act and the Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board Act, and Bill C-15 which introduced the Northwest Territories Devolution Act and changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. This will complete the legislative portion of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan to Improve Northern Regulatory Regimes. A key part of the Action Plan is to promote jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Bill S-6 will help to further unlock the economic potential of the North while ensuring sound environmental stewardship and help the territories remain an attractive place in which to live, work and invest.
The proposed amendments to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act would contribute to the efficient and predictable environmental assessment process in Yukon through the introduction of legislated time limits and clarity around project assessments. This will promote investor confidence and foster economic opportunities and growth while promoting sound environmental stewardship.
The proposed amendments to the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act would streamline water licensing processes and ensure timely and predictable water licence reviews. In addition, tools for enforcement of the Act would be expanded, enhancing environmental stewardship. Finally, the amendments would require the Nunavut Water Board to consider security agreements between the Government of Canada, the Inuit and proponents, thereby promoting investor confidence.
In the Northwest Territories, the legislative portion of the Action Plan to Improve Northern Regulatory Regimes was completed on April 1, 2014, when the Northwest Territories Devolution Act came into force. The Act, which will place more decision making power in the hands of Northerners, included amendments to three existing pieces of legislation: Territorial Lands Act, Northwest Territories Waters Act and Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.
The Action Plan to Improve Northern Regulatory Regimes is part of the Northern Strategy. The Strategy aims to strengthen Canada’s sovereignty, protect its environmental heritage, promote economic and social development, and improve and devolve governance.
Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Elaine Schiman
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
Government of Yukon
867-633-7961
elaine.schiman@gov.yk.ca
Yasmina Pepa
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5059
ypepa@gov.nu.ca
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