Mr. Speaker, as part of devolution, the Government of the Northwest Territories took over responsibility for the management of environmental liabilities and securities for resource development projects in our territory.

The regulatory system in the Northwest Territories provides for environmental protection, including terms and conditions within various authorizations. Security provides additional protection to ensure that there are funds to address environmental liabilities if proponents fail to take remedial action.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 21, 2014) – Minister of Lands Robert C. McLeod announced today that the Government of the Northwest Territories is beginning work to develop a Recreational Land Management Framework for the Northwest Territories.

“Northerners have told us that they care about environmental sustainability and also want more opportunities to lease land near communities for recreational use,” said Minister McLeod. “Now that devolution has taken place, we need to ensure recreational leasing throughout the territory meets northern needs and priorities.”

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands is responsible for managing and administering Territorial lands and Commissioner’s land. Territorial lands are public lands formerly administered by the federal government and devolved to the Government of the Northwest Territories on April 1^st, 2014. Commissioner’s land is public land already under the GNWT’s jurisdiction and formerly administered by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Prior to April 1^st of this year, the GNWT was only responsible for .02% of the land mass, or roughly 2700 square kilometers.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 12, 2014) – Minister of Lands Robert C. McLeod today announced new measures that will help the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) ensure development on public lands is done responsibly and respects the value Northerners place on the land and environment.

Mr. Speaker, the long-term health of our land, water and environment is critically important to Northerners. Devolution has given the Government and Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories new powers for managing the land and its resources sustainably and responsibly. The new Department of Lands has been established to help fulfill our new responsibilities and meet the expectations of Northerners. I am pleased to speak to Members today about the work that the new Department has been doing since April 1^st.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 1, 2013) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has completed a redesign of its organizational structure to incorporate the devolving programs and services, Premier Bob McLeod announced today.  Some departments will be receiving significant new functions and new responsibilities as of April 1, 2014. This is when responsibility for managing land, water and resources transfers from the federal to the territorial government, in accordance with the NWT Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 30, 2013) – Premier Bob McLeod announced today that Mark Warren has been named as the Deputy Minister for the Department of Lands effective April 1, 2014, the date on which the new department will be formally established.