YELLOWKNIFE (November 4, 2013) – The new Wildlife Act was passed on Friday in the NWT Legislative Assembly. The consultative and collaborative approach used to develop the Act demonstrates the GNWT’s commitment to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal governments through respect, recognition and responsibility.

“No other public government has worked so closely with Aboriginal governments to jointly draft legislation on issues of deep and abiding interest to all,” said Minister of Environment and Natural Resources J. Michael Miltenberger. “This collaborative process has resulted in one of the most advanced pieces of wildlife legislation in the country.”

“All NWT residents have had the distinct opportunity to provide input on the Wildlife Act,” said Malcolm Stark, member of the Stakeholders Wildlife Act Advisory Group (SWAAG). “This is not the norm in any other jurisdiction.”

The Wildlife Act continued a collaborative drafting process that started with the Species at Risk Act in 2006.  The Wildlife Act Working Group, which included representatives from Aboriginal governments and wildlife co-management boards, has been involved in the development of the bill since 2009.  SWAAG, NWT residents, and other interested parties also provided input.

“The Wildlife Act upholds constitutionally enshrined Aboriginal and treaty rights and the provisions in land claim agreements,” said Norman Snowshoe, Vice President of the Gwich’in Tribal Council. “The Act recognizes our land, resources and self-government agreements function as modern treaties, and it will ensure we share the responsibility for protecting this precious resource.”

“This is a major accomplishment that took years of hard work and consultation with Aboriginal governments and stakeholders,” said the Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure, Robert Hawkins. “As a committee we were pleased to have heard the public’s advice and guidance on this essential legislation and tried to reflect as many of those views through balancing harvesting rights and conservation, while at the same time ensuring the best interest and access to wildlife for all.”

The new Wildlife Act is an important milestone as the GNWT prepares to take on new responsibilities for land and resources through devolution on April 1, 2014.

For more information, contact:

Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca