NWT political figures reveal federal election wish list
Premier writes to four party leaders; wants their vision for the NWT if their party forms the next government
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, August 24, 2015
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Political leaders from across the NWT say they are aware the federal election campaign is just heating up but add they would like to hear a little more from the party leaders about what they have planned if they form the next government.
Sean Whelly, mayor of Fort Simpson, said he'd like to see more money coming to municipalities, his in particular, for infrastructure spending.
"The federal government really has to come through for the territorial government," said Whelly.
"The new $40 million funding for communities with this new funding formula through the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), that has to come from the feds. I'd like to see the federal politicians take a look at how they are going to move that forward so the territorial government can access more money for (municipal) infrastructure."
Whelly said his past experience, however, has left him a little bit wary when it comes to campaign promises.
"I notice that (Harper) hasn't been back in Fort Simpson since he made his announcement here about new jobs and funding for Nahanni National Park about five or six years ago," he said. "It was the next year that funding was cut to Parks Canada across Canada. They didn't get all the positions filled here that were supposed to come and they are already cutting them. It was supposed to be $5 million in infrastructure that was to go into a new office building here in Fort Simpson but we're still waiting."
Because the territory voted NDP, Whelly thinks the NWT and specifically Fort Simpson, may have been shortchanged by the Conservatives. He said the Canadian Northern Development Agency (CANOR) being headquartered in Iqaluit when it was created in 2009 is an example of that. It should have been in the NWT in the middle of the three territories, he said.
"My sense is that Nunavut did a lot better and Yukon got more than we got. We're that little bit of orange in between the two blues," Whelly said.
Dehcho First Nation Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said it should be an interesting race in the territory, but added he thinks it might be time for a change.
"It's always been really difficult to deal with this government especially when, mid-stream, they are changing out agreements on us and tampering with land claim agreements," said Norwegian.
"It's really hard to deal with these guys, especially when they are trying to encourage resource development North of 60.
"We need to seriously look at a party that will actually deliver on First Nations issues. The outstanding issue of the Dehcho Process is something that's been going on for 12 years ... it's really hard to deal with these guys and I'm hopeful people in the communities have the same feeling."
In a news release issued Aug 19, Premier Bob McLeod laid out some of the federal election issues he thinks are important to the NWT. McLeod stated he has written to the leaders of the four main political parties asking them to share their vision for the North and how they would implement it should their party form Canada's next government. The premier asked the Greens, the Conservatives, the Liberals and the NDP a series of questions addressing issues he believes are critical to the progress of a sustainable and prosperous territory and vital to a strong partnership with the federal government. He also asked about continued federal investments in transportation, housing and energy infrastructure. McLeod stated he believes housing is one issue a new government needs to address through a reinvigorated funding partnership.
"The GNWT recognizes the power of partnerships with the federal government and also with aboriginal governments, industry and communities," the premier wrote in the letter.
"We are anxious to learn how you see our government's relationship with the incoming federal government unfolding in the years ahead," McLeod stated.
He has asked for responses to be returned by Sept. 19, which will be posted on the GNWT website.
Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus spent some time last week in Saskatoon where First Nations leaders were in court challenging the federal government's Transparency Act for aboriginal governments. It came into effect last year, requiring bands to open the books to the public or risk losing federal funding. Nearly 20 NWT bands had failed to to post their financial documents from the last fiscal year as of Aug. 21.
Erasmus said he believes the law is less about transparency and more about controlling communities and thinks it should be a federal election issue. He would also like to see environmental issues discussed during the federal campaign.
"We have huge concerns because we are north and downstream from the tar sands where rivers are being polluted. The Navigable Waters Act was changed and many of those rivers are no longer protected," Erasmus said.
"Changing and amalgamating of the land and water boards is an issue. The Peel River Watershed is in court ... That's because the federal and (Yukon) territorial government are moving ahead without recognition of the Yukon treaties."
Erasmus also expects that calls for an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal females as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report to also be on the federal election campaign agenda.
Erasmus said he won't be telling his people how to vote in the federal election despite calls from other aboriginal leaders to vote against the Harper government.
The federal election is set for Oct. 19.
