NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
After drawing public criticism on its "take it or leave it" approach to the devolution draft agreement, the territorial government has created teams that are ready to hit the road and discuss the details of the devolution deal with the public.
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"We're really looking forward to having discussions with the public in those sessions and building understanding and awareness of devolution," said Martin Goldney, executive director of devolution negotiations for the GNWT.
Premier Bob McLeod told News/North on April 10 he hopes these public meetings will help clear up misconceptions about the draft deal for the devolution of lands and resources to the territorial government from the federal government. One common confusion surrounds how land claims, and land claim negotiations, will be affected by devolution.
"I think a lot of people don't understand, as well, that there is significant amount of land withdrawn in anticipation of land claims," said McLeod. "If additional lands are required, the federal government can still take back lands that have been devolved to the Government of the Northwest Territories."
According to a recent Alternatives North poll of 400 NWT residents over the age of 18, 61 per cent of people said they want more public consultation on the deal, while 34 per cent said they feel adequately consulted. Seventy-three per cent want a public vote on devolution, as happened before Nunavut split from the NWT in 1999.
"Given that only two MLAs voted in favour of holding a plebiscite (on March 14), this finding shows how far out of step cabinet and assembly members are with the wished of the public," stated Alternatives North spokesperson Gordon Hamre in a news release.
Meanwhile, 49 per cent of respondents said they think the deal will have a positive effect on their community, while 18 per cent said they do not think the deal will make a difference. Only four per cent said they thought it was a bad deal, while 14 per cent did not know.
Executive director of the NWT Chamber of Commerce Mike Bradshaw takes issue with the Alternatives North poll in general, and the question about putting devolution to a public vote, specifically.
"We've got a devolution agreement and rolling back the hands of time and having some kind of plebiscite or vote on it isn't really consistent with the fact that seven out of 10 people support (devolution)," he said, referring to the 67 per cent of survey respondents who said devolution would be good for their community or make no difference.
When asked why public feedback during the community meetings could not affect the deal, McLeod said that after more than a decade of negotiations, this is the GNWT's only foreseeable shot at a devolution deal.
"I don't want to raise expectations," he said. "I don't want people to think that they can raise all these concerns and then we can go back to the federal government and say, 'Look, the people of the Northwest Territories want us to ask for these additional resources or additional responsibilities.' There is no appetite for that from the federal government."
Regardless of the politics, Goldney and his team are touring communities beginning in Yellowknife and Lutsel K'e early this week.
"The primary objective really is just to build understanding and awareness of what devolution is about and what the benefits are, so residents can have an informed opinion about what the proposed devolution agreement offers," he said.
These meetings will begin by a structured presentation on the devolution deal that has been prepared by the Office of Devolution and then there will be a lengthy question-and-answer period, he said. Copies of the draft devolution agreement and the plain-language summary will be available.
This format may vary by region because aboriginal government partners have been invited to add to the presentation. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Sahtu Secretariat Inc., the Tlicho Government and NWT Metis Nation have responded that they will participate in meetings within their regions, said Goldney.
Leaders from the Deh Cho and Akaitcho regions have also been invited to participate, he said.
Finally, invitations have been extended to all MLAs, as the decision on whether or not to accept this devolution deal will be up to them during a vote in the legislative assembly, which is expected during the upcoming May-June session.
"Residents are encouraged to follow through with any concerns that they might have or questions they might have with their elected representative," said Goldney.
"Comments, questions and responses will be gathered and assembled into a 'what we heard' document for MLAs to consider as they're making their decisions as the elected representatives on whether to approve the devolution agreement or not."
Schedule of community information sessions
Some exact dates, times and locations were not available by press time. Where there are date ranges, the session(s) will be held sometime within that range. This schedule is subject to change, according to Martin Goldney, executive director of devolution negotiations for the GNWT.
- April 19-20: Open houses in Yellowknife
- April 23: Yellowknife 7 to 9 p.m. at Nova Court
- April 22-24: Lutsel K'e
- April 24-May 4: Sahtu
- April 29-May 2: Mackenzie Delta
- April 30: Tuktoyaktuk at 6 p.m. at the Kitti Hall Recreation Complex
- May 1: Aklavik at 6 p.m. at hamlet office meeting room
- May 6: Sachs Harbour at 6 p.m. at hamlet office complex
- May 7: Paulatuk at 6 p.m. at the visitors centre
- May 7: Joint meeting for Yellowknife Centre, Frame Lake, Kam Lake, Range Lake and Weledeh
- May 8: Fort Smith from 7 to 9 p.m.
- May 9: Hay River from 7 to 9 p.m.
- May 6-17: Deh Cho and Nahendeh
- May 12-18: Monfwi
- May 15: Yellowknife from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Joseph School
- May 22: Yellowknife from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Solstice Room in Coast Hotel
Source: GNWT Office of Devolution
