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Martin commits to Nunavut devolution by 2008

"I think Christmas came early this year," proclaims exultant Okalik

JIM BELL

Canada's three territorial premiers purred like contented cats this week, as Prime Minister Paul Martin announced this past Tuesday that Ottawa will work with them to create an overarching blueprint for northern development by spring 2005.

"I live in a territory that includes the homeland of Santa Claus. I think Christmas came early this year, 11 days early," Nunavut premier Paul Okalik said, speaking in Inuktitut first, then switching to English to explain his joke.

The prime minister generated much goodwill this past August on his five-day 7,500-mile tour of the three territories. He invoked the late John Diefenbaker's "northern vision" at a press conference in Iqaluit, raising expectations everywhere for better relations between Ottawa and the North. But he made no specific commitments.

Now, Martin seems ready to deliver the goods, and says he's bringing his cabinet together in what he calls a "united belief" in the North.

"I believe this is a major, major aspect of why we are in government. It is an essential part of the Canadian heritage," Martin said.

To demonstrate the wide scope of his plan, Martin brought a long list of cabinet ministers into a conference room in Gatineau, Quebec to hear the announcement, along with a long list of national aboriginal leaders and northern politicians.

"I've got more cabinet ministers here than normally show up for a cabinet meeting," Martin joked.

Martin said Andy Scott, the minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Ethel Blondin-Andrew, the MP for Western Arctic, will lead the northern strategy work. It's to be unveiled by spring of next year, after a period of consultation with northern governments and aboriginal groups.

That final version of the strategy would contain a "northern vision" statement, and set out goals within a long list of policy areas: governance, the environment, the circumpolar world, social issues, economic development, northern science, and devolution of control over public lands and non-renewable resources.

At the same time, Martin announced that devolution talks with Nunavut will begin within a year, and he committed to a final devolution agreement with Nunavut by 2008.

He also pledged a small amount of money to help kick-start the northern strategy process: a $120 million "trust fund" to be shared equally by the three territories.

It's not clear how Nunavut would spend its $40-million share of that money. Okalik said the Nunavut government will make those decisions after looking at its priorities.

But Okalik, once a bitter critic of the federal government, now seems ready to buy what Paul Martin is selling.

"I'm impressed by the track record that you have set on the North," Okalik told Martin.

Yukon premier Dennis Fentie called it a "momentous occasion," while Joe Handley, the premier of the Northwest Territories, thanked Martin for delivering on his promises.

But Handley warned that for any northern strategy to work, northern people must gain control over natural resources development.

"Northerners must see a primary benefit coming to them," Handley said.

For now, ordinary people in the North will hear a lot of policy talk, but won't see any quick changes.

Martin, however, promises a plan aimed at bettering the lives of northern peoples in many ways: education and training, promotion of language and culture, help in coping with climate change, stronger health care, economic development, and infrastructure.

He pointed out that mining companies have invested $2.5 billion in northern exploration and development over the past decade, and that northern Canada holds 34 per cent of Canada's natural gas reserves.

And he said that all Canadians share a responsibility for northern development.

"I believe in the North because I am a Canadian. I don't know how you can say you are a Canadian unless you have a deep love and deep commitment to northern Canada," he said.

As for the consultation process, Martin said that would include the three territorial governments, northern members of Parliament, and aboriginal organizations.

And Andy Scott said the government wants to engage southern Canadians in the process too, "to make sure that we do this not just as a region or part of Canada, but as a nation."

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