Renewable Resources and Environment
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada promotes environmental protection and ecological sustainability, and works with the Government of the Northwest Territories to implement innovative approaches for environmental stewardship and planning, while maintaining and strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal people and Northerners.
What is the department doing to manage the renewable resources and environment of the Northwest Territories?
In the NWT, the department continues to play a role through the implementation of land claims and works with the Government of the Northwest Territories to implement environmental management measures.
AANDC NWT Region ensures that the requirements of the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, are fulfilled by the department in the NWT. As well, they provide expert advice to the NWT Water Board and boards established pursuant to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.
As per the Northwest Territories Devolution Agreement, AANDC will be responsible for environmental assessments on Crown lands and will continue to play a major role in land use planning. AANDC will also participate in the Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program and environmental audits.
How does AANDC manage the water resources of the Northwest Territories?
The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development remains responsible for signing Type A water licenses on Crown lands. AANDC also plays a regulatory role for waters in the offshore and through the administration of the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act. Under devolution, the Government of the Northwest Territories now has responsibility for all other water management in the NWT.
Highlights
Guides and policies developed by AANDC, or with the participation with the boards, remain in place after devolution such as the recently released, Guidelines for the Closure and Reclamation of Advanced Mineral Exploration and Mine Sites in the Northwest Territories (PDF).