Devolution Of Resource Management In Northwest Territories On April 1, 2014

Bill C-15, the Northwest Territories Devolution Act (the "Act"), received Royal Assent on March 25, and the transfer of responsibilities from the federal government to the government of the Northwest Territories is to take effect on April 1, 2014. Devolution to the N.W.T. government has occurred gradually since its establishment in 1967, and the Act significantly advances the process, resulting in the territorial legislature having powers roughly equivalent to those of a province. Most significantly, the N.W.T. government will assume management of most of the public lands, resources and waters in the N.W.T. that are currently under the oversight of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.