ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Commitment 1.3.1 – Using the Land Use and Sustainability Framework to be clear and transparent, we will:
Complete land-use plans for all areas, including regions without land and resources agreements, in collaboration with Aboriginal governments.

Land use planning is a shared responsibility in the Northwest Territories. These efforts respect existing agreements, including interim measures agreements, and the interim land withdrawals associated with those agreements. The resulting land use plans are typically multi-party agreements that require the approval of Aboriginal governments, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Canada.

The Department of Lands is working with the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs (EIA) to develop a proposed approach for working collaboratively with Aboriginal governments/organizations (milestone 1) to initiate regional planning in the southeastern NWT.

In addition, the Department of Lands provides annual contribution funding to Aboriginal governments and organizations to build land use planning capacity. In fiscal year 2016-2017, $325,000 was targeted for areas where a formal land use planning process has not yet been initiated.

In the Dehcho region, the Department of Lands, in collaboration with the EIA, will work with the other approving parties - Dehcho First Nations, Government of Canada - to revise the Draft Interim Dehcho Land Use Plan so that it may be approved (milestone 2) and implemented.

Acho Dene Koe is developing its own land use planning process as part of its negotiations. Work on the Draft Interim Dehcho Land Use Plan may adjust as negotiations within the region progress.

Related GNWT Mandate Commitments

• Commitment 1.3.1 - Using the Land Use and Sustainability Framework to be clear and transparent, we will:

  • Implement the agreed upon governance structure for land use planning in the Wek’èezhìi Management Area.