More federal action needed to sustain balanced development in the Northwest Territories
Ottawa, 20 April 2010—Federal departments have not adequately implemented some key measures designed to prepare for sustainable and balanced development in the Northwest Territories, says Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada, in her Report tabled today in the House of Commons.
“Agreements with Aboriginal peoples setting out governance rights and the ownership of land and resource rights are important for environmental protection and economic development,” said Ms. Fraser. “They help provide a level of certainty and predictability for business, industry, communities, and governments.”
The audit found that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) has made constructive efforts to clarify land, resource, and governance rights in the negotiation of land claims. However, delays in its funding to First Nations can impede their effective participation in negotiating self-government agreements.
The audit also found that regions with settled land claims have an environmental regulatory system in place. However, in the other regions—about 30 percent of the NWT—INAC has not put an adequate regulatory system in place to protect the environment. In addition, INAC and Environment Canada have not met their responsibilities for monitoring the cumulative environmental impacts of development.
“The federal government has specific obligations relating to effective governance, environmental protection, and capacity building to provide for sustainable development in the Northwest Territories,” said Ms. Fraser. “Not meeting these obligations could mean missed economic opportunities, environmental degradation, and increased social problems in the territory’s communities.”
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The chapter “Sustaining Development in the Northwest Territories” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
For more information, please click here.