The Government of the Northwest Territories, led by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) completed the development and proposal of a new Mineral Resources Act in accordance with strategic policy directives and under the mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly.
ITI conducted frequent engagements with the Intergovernmental Council Secretariat, Indigenous governments and organizations, industry representatives, other key stakeholders and GNWT departments starting in 2017.
With the use of policy and research work completed, ITI drafted the territory's first stand-alone mineral resources statute which establishes a framework for modernized mineral resources management and administration. In 2019, the proposed Act was introduced in the Legislative Assembly as Bill 34. In the August 2019 session of the Legislative Assembly, Bill 34 (Mineral Resources Act) received 3rd reading.
Though it received assent, the Mineral Resources Act has not yet come into force. This presentation will provide an overview of the legislative initiative through its completion and passing in the Legislative Assembly and next steps including regulations development and implementation.