Commissioner of the Northwest Territories Margaret Thom has granted assent to the Forest Act on October 6th, 2023.
According to the Intergovernmental Council (IGC) of the Northwest Territories, the new Forest Act represents numerous years of hard work, through two legislative assemblies.
The Council says the IGC Legislative Development Protocol and the Process Convention, and representatives of Indigenous Governments were actively involved throughout the process.
“The Process Convention outlines the procedures that the Legislative Assembly
follows to ensure that IGC members have the opportunity to participate in the
consideration, review, amendment and passage of new legislation,” the Council says.
The Council adds that the Forest Act “explicitly recognizes” Aboriginal and treaty rights, including land commitments, resource commitments, and self-government agreements.
