November 26, 1982

It was a memorable day for Nunavut residents when Indian Affairs Minister John Munro announced that, at long last, the federal government would support the creation of a third northern territory.

Munro announces support for division in principle

TED TOWNSEND
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — The federal government announced today its support in principle for division of the Northwest Territories, as well as plans to move towards responsible self-government and to improve its method of financing both the NWT and Yukon Territories.

Indian and Northern Affairs Minister John Munro made the announcement at a press conference held in Ottawa.

Munro termed the announcements as "landmarks" in the move towards responsible self-government in the NWT.

Four conditions

However, the federal government has made its support for division contigent upon settlement of comprehensive land claims in the NWT and northerners forging a consensus on boundaries, future locations of any new adminstration centres and the distribution of powers between local, regional and territorial levels of government.

Munro also committed to move towards responsible government for the two territories. He said, however, that does not mean the federal government is considering provincial status for either the Yukon or the NWT.

He said the federal government will amend the Yukon Act and that amendments to the North-West Territories Act will be delayed until the issue of division is settled.

Munro also announced the federal government's intention to introduce a formula-based approach to funding the territorial governments. This means the territorial government will receive federal government financing based on a pre-set formula.

Munro further announced that Ottawa plans to establish a discretionary fund above the formula funding plan to finance resource development in the North.

Following Munro's speech, Nunatsiaq MP Peter Ittinuar, in a statement from Frobisher Bay, announced he was crossing the floor to join the Liberal Party. Ittinuar has represented the New Democratic Party since being first elected in 1979.

Ittinuar, in explaining his move, said northerners need someone in the party in power to advise the federal cabinet on issues affecting the North.

Western Arctic MP Dave Nickerson criticized the federal government's proposal, saying its conditions for support of division means issues won't be settled during the current government's lifetime.

Nickerson also rejected the idea of provincial status for the territories and any plan for resource revenue sharing between the federal and territorial governments.

Munro, however, predicted that the steps Ottawa is taking towards autonomy for northern governments "will make that part of the country more a part of Canada."

Munro will visit Frobisher Bay, Yellowknife and Whitehorse this weekend to discuss his announcement.