Ottawa mulls creating 'super' N.W.T. review board

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is moving ahead with plans to eliminate regional land and water boards in the N.W.T.

Representatives from the four existing land and water boards and aboriginal governments had a private meeting with Minister John Duncan in Calgary Wednesday.

They talked about whether only one board should grant or deny licenses for mining and oil and gas developments in the territory.

"It's not a superboard per se, but the land claims do allow for one board for the Mackenzie Valley," said Stephen Traynor, the director of Resource Policy and Programs with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Traynor said regional land and water boards were needed when land claims were being implemented.

"Now that we've got at least half of the valley settled with those land claims it is now in a position that we can move toward having the technical people available and move toward a one-board approach," he said.

But some are concerned that a superboard would take authority away from local people. Former Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., chief Arthur Tobac said regional land and water boards still hold great importance.

"Most of the assurances our people had, we established through the Sahtu Land and Water Board. As long as they were in place, most of our people were comfortable that someone was looking out for our interests. Should we start to see more activity, who would be looking out for our interests?"

Traynor says regional groups and governments would still have a say under the one board approach..

"We do feel there are representations from the various levels of government and aboriginal peoples to bring the perspectives of the various regions and the various regions and levels of government," he said.

Traynor said the department is working on amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.

People have often criticized the federal government for the amount of time it takes to get any decision approved at the ministerial level.

Traynor says any amendments to the Act will include new deadlines for the minister's office to make decisions.

He added there will be more details on the possible restructuring in a few weeks.