Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 16, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Northerners can expect the latest recommendations on the contentious Northern regulatory regime to be released "shortly" according to Chuck Strahl, minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Strahl made stops in Hay River and Yellowknife this week. During his trip he discussed key issues Northerners have been awaiting word on.

On Tuesday morning, Strahl confirmed that Neil McCrank had completed his report on the Northern regulatory process and it will be released once it is translated into French and aboriginal languages. No specific time was given other than to say it should be out shortly.

"People will see Neil's consultations reflected in it. He had about 100 meetings that he put together, talked to everybody about what should be in the report and I think it's an accurate reflection of what he heard," said Strahl.

Strahl said he couldn't comment on the specifics because the report is only recommendations and cannot compel any government to enforce the changes.

"Everyone pretty much agrees that the status quo is not working as good as it might to protect the environment and allow economic development at the same time," Strahl added.

Asked about the recent meeting of the three territorial premiers and their call to end GST on home heating fuel, power generation and the transportation of essential goods, Strahl emphasized what the Conservatives will not be doing, rather than what they are doing.

"I know they're looking for a break from us, but they're particularly unhappy with the thought of even more taxes, which is what the Liberals are proposing. We're sure we're not going to add more tax."

He said the premiers will suggest a tax break as part of their pre-budget proposal for the fall, but said he could not say what the finance minister will do.

At the mention of the NDP suggesting the federal government increase the Northern Residents Tax Deduction by 50 per cent, Strahl emphasized the fact that "people always would love more."

"The NDP would always like more, but sometimes they don't have to deal with the overall budgetary reality," said Strahl.

"If you added up what every NDP MP in the country asked for you would have a budget of 200 per cent of the national GDP," he said.

"It's just not possible to do all the things that they might put on their wish list."

He also added the conservatives did announce a "significant" increase - 10 per cent - to the deduction in the last budget, the first in 20 years.

One of the most outstanding and ongoing issues for the North is devolution, which Strahl said is moving ahead, but he gave no specific examples.

"It's easy to say we want to move ahead and we do, we do want to move ahead with devolution. We're also conscious of concerns some First Nations groups have, for example, that in devolution they want to make sure that their rights are protected and not lost in the mix," said Strahl.

"I know Premier Roland is especially concerned about that, about getting a consensus among the people of the North about what devolution would look like as well."

He said the Conservative government views devolution as being in the best interest of the people of the North, but added it is a major deal which will involve so many levels of government, including the Prime Minister, that it is going to take time.

"There's no roadblocks per se. It's just getting all the stars to line up at a moment in time with all the people that are involved is always challenging. Our discussions continue," he said.