The GNWT will adhere to a set of principles to guide its actions concerning land-
use and land management in the Northwest Territories. In order to achieve this vision, land-use decisions will be:

Balanced and Sustainable

Land-management decisions consider ecological, social, cultural and economic values to ensure maximum benefits to current and future generations.

Responsible and Responsive

Land-management decisions are made in the context of sound environmental stewardship, where all of society takes responsibility to maintain a healthy environment and ecological integrity. Precautionary decision-making and best management practices are implemented to protect and conserve the condition, quality, diversity and abundance of land values. Land-management policies
and decisions are adaptable to new information and changing environmental, economic and social conditions.

Respectful

Land-management decision-making recognizes and respects Aboriginal and Treaty rights, as well as third-party land interests and legal rights.

Relevant and Informed

Decisions about land and resources within the NWT are made primarily by residents of the NWT. Communities and residents in all regions have the opportunity for meaningful engagement and input into land use decisions. Traditional, local and scientific knowledge are used in the decision-making
process.

Coordinated and Collaborative

Land use, planning and management are shared responsibilities. Decisions
about land use are made in coordination with relevant GNWT departments
and external organizations and agencies that have responsibilities for landuse
planning and management decisions. Trans-boundary land-management
issues are managed cooperatively within the NWT as well as with neighbouring jurisdictions.

Fair and Equitable

Responsibilities for environmental stewardship and creation of revenue
opportunities are shared equitably across all regions of the NWT.

Transparent and Accountable

Land-management decision-making processes are clear, transparent,
consistent and communicated.

These principles speak to our commitment to approach land use decisionmaking
from a perspective that considers the environment, the economy and
the NWT way of life.

These principles will guide the GNWT to approach work from a perspective
broader than any one departmental mandate. These principles will provide
guidance to the GNWT as it delivers programs, advances positions and makes
decisions that impact the land.