Implementing the Devolution Agreement

The Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement was signed on June 25, 2013. This agreement transferred responsibility for public land, water and resource management in the Northwest Territories from the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to the GNWT on April 1, 2014.

The implementation of the Devolution agreement will also provide economic benefits for the NWT by creating new resource revenues for public and Aboriginal governments, new jobs and business opportunities for all NWT residents and great control over the economy.

The term ‘devolution’ refers to a transfer of responsibility from the federal government to a provincial or territorial government. The devolution of federal responsibilities has happened many times in Canada since the late 1800s as our country has grown.