June 4, 2015 – Ottawa, ON – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Harper Government today announced the introduction and passage by the House of Commons of Bill C-63. This bill would enact the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement announced on December 17, 2013 by the Déline First Nation, the Government of Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada once the bill has been passed by the Senate and has received royal assent.
Once in force, the Agreement will create a new government, the Déline Got'ine Government, and bring together the authorities, programs and services of the Charter Community Government, the Déline Land Corporation, the Déline Financial Corporation, and the Déline First Nation Band.
This will allow the self-government arrangements of the Agreement to meet the unique needs of Déline, give the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Déline more control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives and cover responsibilities in the areas of culture, language, education, social services, program delivery, governing structures, Déline First Nation citizenship, elections, and local government services.
- Déline First Nations Citizens ratified the Agreement in a ratification vote with 64.5% of all eligible voters approving the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement, well above the 50% + 1 threshold required to ratify the Agreement.
- The Agreement contains a wide range of powers that will give the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Déline more control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, including how programs and services will be delivered.
The Agreement covers responsibilities in the areas of culture, language, education, social services, governing structures, Déline First Nation citizenship, elections, and local government services.
Emily Hillstrom
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
Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox
Implementation Director
Déline First Nation and Déline Land Corporation
867-444-0030
Roya Grinsted
Media Relations
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-669-2308
Follow us on Twitter: @AANDCanada
