Devolution negotiations begin
Protocol from 2008 to serve as framework for talks over coming year
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 13, 2014
IQALUIT
With the appointment of federal chief negotiator Brian Dominique, Aboriginal and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt announced at the legislative assembly Oct. 3 the beginning of land and resource devolution negotiations.
Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna, left, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt, Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Cathy Towtongie together announced the appointment of negotiators on Oct. 3 in Iqaluit, moving Nunavut forward in the devolution process. - Michele LeTourneau/NNSL photo |
An agreement-in-principle is expected to be reached in a year, with offshore resource negotiations to take place at a later date. The Lands and Resources Devolution Negotiation Protocol signed in 2008 will serve as the framework for negotiations.
The objective of devolution, said Valcourt, is to transfer land and resource management responsibility to the territory and to give Nunavummiut a greater say in their own future.
"Territorial devolution is an important step that places more control in the hands of those who are best placed to make decisions about their future in order to stimulate growth, development and economic prosperity," said Valcourt, adding "through devolution and regulatory reform, Canada is taking action to encourage future exploration and development while investing in critical infrastructure that encourages investors and developers to look North."
Canada, he said, will continue to ensure that development happens sustainably while unlocking the opportunities for the region.
"It is clear that with the progress of world-class diamond mines and massive oil and gas reserves, the economic potential of this region is just tremendous," he said.
The 2008 protocol includes developing a human resources strategy parallel to the devolution negotiations to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and service delivery.
The Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) are the two main parties in negotiations with the Government of Canada.
Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna and NTI president Cathy Towtongie applauded this surge forward.
"Today is an important step," said Taptuna. "We are confident that all parties involved can move forward to outline an agreement-in-principle that will pave the way for developing final agreements in the devolution negotiation process."
Towtongie stressed that "devolution is an important part of our long-term economic, constitutional and social future."
The Government of Nunavut named Simon Awa as chief negotiatior, with Alex Buchan and Robert Carson serving as deputy negotiators. Awa is a long-time public servant who was born and raised in an outpost camp near Iglulik. He began his career as a senior administrative officer for Pond Inlet and has held a number of positions since 1993 related to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, followed by several positions with the territorial government. He most recently served as deputy minister for the Department of Family Services.
NTI's chief negotiator is Udloriak Hanson. As NTI's negotiator, she will ensure that devolution does not infringe on the rights of Inuit as defined in the land claims agreement.
Dominique, Canada's negotiator, also led talks for the devolution of land and resource management in the Northwest Territories, which saw the successful transfer of federal responsibilities there this past April.
