Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in the Mandate to respond to recommendations in the Northwest Territories Environmental Audit for improved environmental management.
The Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act requires an Environmental Audit be completed at least every five years by an independent auditor. The Audit reflects obligations in the Sahtu, Gwich’in and Tlicho agreements and is a key tool for environmental management in the territory. Its recommendations will help guide governments, Aboriginal organizations and other decision-makers.
The 2015 Audit was completed in March 2016. This is the first time the Government of the Northwest Territories has been responsible for facilitating the Audit following Devolution. Previous audits were undertaken in 2005 and 2010.
Mr. Speaker, the 2015 Audit found the environmental regulatory system in the Northwest Territories has continued to improve since the last audit in 2010. The integrated system of land and water management is generally effective in protecting the environment. The Government of the Northwest Territories was recognized for taking a much more active role in the Mackenzie Valley environmental regulatory system, particularly in the areas of wildlife management, air quality, management of securities, and land use planning in unsettled areas.
The Audit identified five foundational challenges that continue to affect the ability of the system to fully function, including the completion of unsettled land claims and land use plans, clarity on federal Crown consultation, capacity for Aboriginal government and organizations participation in the regulatory system, and the integration of socio-economics into decision-making. In total, the 2015 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit yielded 24 recommendations directed at various parties with decision-making roles in the Northwest Territories regulatory system.
Facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Audit was conducted by Arcadis Canada Incorporated, an independent Auditor selected through a competitive bidding process and under contract to the Government of the Northwest Territories.
An Audit Steering Committee comprising representatives from Aboriginal governments and organizations, and the territorial and federal government, assisted in selection of the Auditor and provided guidance and support to the Auditor throughout the process.
The responsibility for addressing recommendations in the Audit is shared among many directly affected parties, including governments, Aboriginal organizations and resource management boards. These recommendations are intended for use by decision-makers to improve the effectiveness of the regulation of environmental and resource management in the Northwest Territories. In an effort to increase accountability, the 2015 Audit Report marks the first time parties have been asked to respond directly to recommendations made by the Auditor.
Mr. Speaker, the 2015 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit is an important tool the government and its partners can use to improve coordination and effectiveness in resource management systems, while incorporating Traditional Knowledge and honouring obligations under land claim agreements and devolution.
I will be tabling the Audit later today and look forward to working with all responsible parties over the next five years to review the recommendations and the responses to them.