The Responsiblelegislationnwt.ca website is now Responsible Environmental Management NWT. We are excited to bring you a new and improved website. Highlights include:
- The NWT context: Learn about the political history and Indigenous rights in the Northwest Territories.
- What’s in place: What laws, regulations and policies are in place now to protect the environment.
- Making the rules: All of the basics. Who creates legislation, how a bill comes together in the Legislative Assembly of the NWT, how regulations are developed within a department and by Cabinet, and how Indigenous governments are involved.
- Getting involved: How you can make effective submissions and get involved.
This website will update you on what’s happening right now, what’s at stake with each piece of legislation, regulations and significant policy, as well as how you can have your say to guide these new rules.
Responsible Environmental Management is for use by all NWT residents. This includes students and youth, those working in the non-profit and education sectors, and civil service organizations. As an informed NWT resident with valuable lived experience, you are exactly the type of expert needed to give feedback on proposed laws and policies that will govern resource development and environmental protection, now and in the future.
This website does not have information about specific projects, applications, permits, or licences. However, you should find the information here helpful in identifying where to look and how to contact possible co-management bodies, government departments, or other regulators.
The current work to amend, update and rewrite legislation should:
- Bring consistency to the NWT’s laws;
- Give the residents of the Northwest Territories a greater say in how lands, waters, and natural resources are managed in their homeland;
- Eliminate differing or conflicting sets of rules and standards found within multiple territorial and federal acts;
- Increase the involvement of Indigenous government organizations in decision-making through the incorporation of the co-management system established in their lands and resources agreements;
- Recognize new best practices for environmental management in the areas of climate change, sustainability, public participation, and transparency; and
- Allow the GNWT, in collaboration with Indigenous governments, to assume all of the responsibilities transferred from Canada through devolution.
We welcome public feedback on this tool, please submit questions and comments to admin@ecologynorth.ca.