N.W.T. deputy premier supports ban on development

CAROL CHRISTIAN

Today staff

The Northwest Territories’ deputy premier welcomed a resolution by another level of government calling for a stop to new oilsands development pending the creation of an enforceable transboundary water agreement.

The Northwest Territories Association of Communities, which represents all 33 communities across territory, passed the moratorium resolution on new development at its meeting in Inuvik May 23-24.

“It reinforces, in a very strong way, the track, the path that we've embarked on when we first got elected in the 16th assembly, actually starting back in the 15th assembly (when) we were the only jurisdiction in North America, if not the free world, that actually stood up and passed a unanimous motion in our legislation asserting that access to water is a fundamental human right,” said Michael Miltenberger, deputy premier and minister of environment and natural resources for the N.W.T. “And we've built on that.”

Not only was the N.W.T. resolution similar to one made in February by the Dene Nation at its leadership meeting in Yellowknife, it also mirrors one made by the Mikisew Cree in Fort Chipewyan, who, since Dec. 13, 2006, have called for a moratorium on any new projects. The band recently called on the federal government to undertake a full public inquiry into the health impacts on Fort Chip residents. In addition, the Alberta Chiefs' Summit, made up of 44 chiefs has also unanimously supported a resolution since 2006 calling for a moratorium on new projects and approval.

The N.W.T. Association resolution says all development affecting water throughout the Mackenzie River Basin watershed should reflect the 14 principles stated in the Greater Northwest Territories discussion paper, Northern Voices, Northern Waters. The resolution expressed concerns over leaks from and even possible failure of oilsands tailings ponds and that the federal government needs to take stronger steps to protect water, fish, migratory species and people living in downstream communities. Miltenberger added the provincial government has received “strong messages” of support and that it's on the right path through motions and recommendations similar to that of the N.W.T. municipality association and the Dene Nation. Also, in attending Keepers of the Water conferences in locations such as Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan, Miltenberger says they all share a “very common message” about the need for water quality and protection.

“They all have a very common message, and we believe that getting our strategy done, a strong policy-based building (of) a northern consensus. That's why we call it Northern Voices, Northern Water, where we all just sit down and work through with Alberta as well as other signatories of the transboundary agreement,” he said, referring to the discussion paper for the water strategy, expected in the fall.

“We also want to make sure we keep the pressure on the federal government to recognize their role and need for a national water strategy.”

The Athabasca River, one of the most well-known oilsands-related rivers, drains into the Peace-Athabasca Delta near Lake Athabasca, south of Fort Chipewyan and Wood Buffalo National Park. From there, its waters flow north as Slave River into the Great Slave Lake, which discharges through the Mackenzie River system. The Mackenzie River Basin links water resources in Alberta's oilsands with communities downstream. The basin ultimately feeds into the Arctic Ocean.


The Northwest Territories is finalizing its own water strategy, which Miltenberger described as "very ambitious." As a signatory of the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Agreement of 1997, the N.W.T. is to enter formal negotiations with Alberta to develop a bilateral agreement. Alberta Environment has confirmed formal negotiations are scheduled to begin in the fall. A dispute resolution mechanism in that agreement is to give either side legal recourse if the other fails to live up to the commitments.

While the water issues have been gaining momentum in the North for some time, Miltenberger said there is increasing awareness in outside jurisdictions.

“There's been a confluence of ... time and events here working to bring this issue to the fore. The Mackenzie River Basin is a huge geographic area ... and there's things happening. We've been pushing integrated watershed management, cumulative impact. McMurray is one major project but there's been others,” he said, referring to the impacts of mining, pulp and paper mills and dam projects.

“We've got to get our thinking clear as possible on how we deal with water. We have to work with Alberta. We have a very comprehensive relationship with Alberta in any number of areas. Some we may not always see eye to eye on, and there's processes we want to utilize to deal with some of these issues like the transboundary issues, bilateral agreements.”

Miltenberger addressed the federal all-party House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development earlier this month in Edmonton. Rephrasing John Donne’s famous “No man is an island” quotation, he told members, “When it comes to water, no jurisdiction is an island entire unto itself.”

His comment mirrored one made earlier by Yellowknife city councillor Kevin Kennedy: "Just because you're doing something in northern Alberta, the environmental and human implications of that don't stop at the border. They extend virtually worldwide or certainly in a very large region.”

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