Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on April 2nd, 2009

[Harvey Brooks]

I think we're looking for more of a joint working committee with INAC. We're fully prepared. We've put forward our names—each territory has put forward names to establish the committee. We're ready to work together.

I think the meetings will substantially reduce any uncertainty that might be out there as to how the regional economic development agency may form and how it would operate, and that's very important for us as well. We have good models of partnership that have developed over the years, and we'd like to see those incorporated into the agency as it moves forward. I think it's important that we sit down, especially in the initial phases of establishing the agency, to make sure we have a good grounding and a good solid common understanding of what the operational practices will be and how territorial input will be achieved by those processes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Are there any other comments on that?

Briefly, on that, if you could.

[Peter Vician]

Very briefly, you've heard from the federal government with regard to its northern strategy. Those tenets are solid. We'll be building on those types of tenets to see where we can add value through this northern agency to deliver on all those goals in the coming years. We believe the capacity is there, as you asked, with regard to how to get it done. The issue is having common views that this is what we want to achieve.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Thank you, Mr. Asselin.

Mr. Albrecht, you have three minutes.

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have just a very short question.

I agree that you folks have all done good work on trying to develop some kind of cooperative effort here. Certainly you've submitted ideas already to the minister. Can I just confirm that you are in fact having a meeting with Mr. Borbey at the department this afternoon to discuss some of your issues? I know that was one of the proposals at least.

[Peter Vician]

Yes, Mr. Chair.

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Brooks, on page 8 of your document, I happened to notice that you omitted the last bullet there. Was that intentional or...?

[Harvey Brooks]

I was trying to meet the chairman's need for time.

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

So there have been some discussions related to four offices, one in each territory and one satellite office.

[Harvey Brooks]

Yes.

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

Okay, that's it. There were just a couple of follow-up items, if I could, that came up in the discussion here this morning.

First of all, I can't recall which witness mentioned this, but there's a joint territorial recommendation regarding new energy. I think it was related to the question of Mr. Albrecht. If something like that could be provided, I think that would be helpful.

Secondly, at least Nunavut and Yukon referenced the climate change energy plan or document you have in place. If any of you could provide that, that would be terrific. I think we had several questions on the climate change and energy issue. That would be very good.

Finally, to the Northwest Territories, and I know we didn't have the complete document in both languages today, but you referenced some statistical data. If you have that available once it's translated, or if there's anything else you can give us in that regard, Monsieur Vician, that would be helpful. Thank you very much.

Ms. Keenainak.

[Rosemary Keenainak]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I think what I might do is leave you a copy of the 2008 Nunavut economic outlook that was recently done, with funding from the government, by the Nunavut Economic Forum. It does provide you with a bit of a snapshot on how things are happening in Nunavut. I think probably the NWT and Yukon would have a similar document as well.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

On behalf of the members of the committee, I thank you for your presentations. I am sure that they will stimulate our future discussions. Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.