Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his speech.
There are three key messages that the House should take note of in the NDP's request. I am pleased to see that the members opposite are paying closer attention now.
For decades, the people living in the Northwest Territories have been trying to get powers similar to those of the provinces. The NDP agrees with the transfer of powers and supports the Northwest Territories in its efforts to take over certain federal responsibilities in the north.
The Northwest Territories is in the best position—as every province and provincial or municipal authority can appreciate—to know how its resources should be used. The Northwest Territories should have the final say. We are asking the government to support that.
We will ensure that Bill C-15 meets the expectations of northerners and, in committee, we will look at some of the concerns raised about the Conservatives' plan to have the bill include changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.
That is the NDP's message: yes to economic development, but jointly with northerners. Otherwise, it will not work.