Bill S-6, Yukon and Nunavut Regulatory Improvement Act: Letter of Introduction

June 9, 2014

Dear Premier, Grand Chief, Chief, President of Aboriginal Organization, Board Chairperson, Board Executive Director, Industry Partner:

I am pleased to inform you that on June 3, 2014, our Government introduced Bill S-6, the Yukon and Nunavut Regulatory Improvement Act, which includes amendments to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act and the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act.

Canada's North holds tremendous resource potential. Bill S-6 will help Northerners realize their economic aspirations by ensuring a strong, effective, predictable and modern regulatory system. The amendments proposed in this Bill will, among other improvements, introduce legislated beginning-to-end time limits for environmental assessments in the Yukon, and water license approvals in Nunavut. It also enables the Government of Canada to develop regulations for cost recovery, while streamlining assessments and licensing practices.

These amendments promote investor confidence and create opportunities for jobs and economic growth, while ensuring sound environmental stewardship. This will ensure that the North remains a strong, competitive and attractive jurisdiction to live, work and invest for generations to come.

This legislation complements previous legislative initiatives to modernize northern regulatory systems, including Bill C-47, which enacted the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act and the Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board Act, as well as Bill C-15, the Northwest Territories Devolution Act, which included changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Bill S-6 will also complete the legislative component of our Governments' Action Plan to Improve Northern Regulatory Regimes.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the development of the Bill. The input we received from Aboriginal groups, territorial governments, and boards was instrumental in improving and strengthening this legislation. I look forward to your continued participation, and hope that you will lend your support to this important step in implementing the Action Plan to Improve Northern Regulatory Regimes.

Sincerely,

Bernard Valcourt, PC, QC, MP