Senator Patterson: Thank you for that answer, Senator Gold.

Would you agree that removing this relic of colonialism could not only be called decolonization, which we all aspire to, but that it would also mark a progressive step on the path to reconciliation?

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: My question is for the Government Representative.

Senator Gold, during a recent tour of the Nunavut legislature with Senate colleagues, it was raised to me and other northern Senate colleagues, in particular, that the Nunavut Act and the Northwest Territories Act do not have one crucial amendment that was made to the Yukon Act during its devolution process. Namely, there remains an archaic provision that describes the Ottawa-appointed commissioners of Nunavut and the N.W.T. as, “chief executive officer” of the two territories. The provision would empower the Governor-in-Council or Minister of Northern Affairs, if they so choose, to give direction to the commissioner on any matter, including the possibility of dissolving the Indigenous-led territorial governments and putting the territories into trusteeship by simply instructing the territories’ commissioners.

Senator Gold, is the government aware of this colonial clause in the referenced federal statutes, and are there plans, post‑devolution in the N.W.T. or during the Nunavut devolution process, to bring those acts into alignment with the third territory, namely the Yukon, by removing the offending clauses?

Thank you.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, Senator Patterson, for the question.

Northern governance and the devolution of responsibilities are longstanding objectives of the Government of Canada. As you know, on April 1, 2014, the Northwest Territories became the second territory to take over land and resource responsibilities. Devolution places more control over the land and resources in the hands of northerners and ensures that the residents in Indigenous communities directly benefit from the great resource potential that the land provides. The regulatory regime governing resource development has been modernized to ensure that the Northwest Territories will be poised to benefit fully from increased resource development and local management of lands and resources resulting from devolution.

With regard to your specific question, I will make inquiries with Minister Vandal to this effect. As well, my office would be very pleased to arrange a meeting with you and him to discuss those matters further.