Office of Devolution

Devolution means the transfer to the GNWT of the legislative powers, programs and responsibilities associated with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) and the National Energy Board in the Northwest Territories (NWT), with respect to the following:

1. powers to develop, conserve, manage and regulate surface and subsurface natural resources in the NWT, with respect to mining and minerals, oil and gas administration, water management, land management, environmental management, and the management of archaeological resources;
2. powers to control and administer Crown land with the right to use, sell or otherwise dispose of such land; and
3. powers to levy and collect resource royalties and other revenues from natural resources.

The GNWT (represented by the Office of Devolution), the Government of Canada and Aboriginal Leaders (represented by the Aboriginal Summit) are involved in negotiating the transfer of provincial-type powers, programs and responsibilities to the NWT.

The negotiations cover a variety of provincial-like jurisdictions, responsibilities and programs related to natural resources. They include the transfer of law-making authorities, designing northern resource management regimes for both renewable and non-renewable resources, fiscal relationships and human and financial resource transfers. All parties are cognizant that any initiative undertaken through devolution negotiations will be consistent with land claims and self-government agreements.

Since there are few self-government agreements finalized at this stage, the implication is that devolution agreements must take into account the interests and objectives of the parties to outstanding lands and resources, as well as self-government agreements.