Vol. 150, No. 13 — June 29, 2016

Registration

SOR/2016-128 June 13, 2016

MACKENZIE VALLEY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT

Regulations Amending the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations

P.C. 2016-468 June 10, 2016

Whereas, pursuant to section 90 (see footnote a) of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (see footnote b), the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has consulted with First Nations and the Tlicho Government regarding the annexed Regulations;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, pursuant to section 90 (see footnote c) of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (see footnote d), makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations.

Regulations Amending the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations

Amendments

1 (1) The definition Type C permit in section 1 of the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations (see footnote 1) is replaced by the following:

Type C permit means a permit required by a Tlicho law for a use of Tlicho lands or by a Déline law for a use of Déline lands, respectively, for which a Type A or Type B permit is not required. (permis de type C)

(2) Paragraph (a) of the definition landowner in section 1 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

2 (1) The portion of subsection 2(3) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(3) For greater certainty, subject to any Tlicho law or Déline law referred to in section 90.1 or 90.11 of the Act, respectively, these Regulations do not apply to the following activities, unless they require the use of equipment or material referred to in section 4 or 5:

(2) The portion of subsection 2(3) of the English version of the Regulations after paragraph (c) is repealed.

3 Paragraph 6(a) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

4 The heading before section 12 of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Historic or Archeological Sites and Burial Sites

5 (1) The portion of section 12 of the English version of the Regulations before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:

12 If, in the course of a land-use operation, a suspected historic or archaeological site or burial site is discovered,

(2) Paragraph 12(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

6 Subsection 16(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) With the prior written authorization of the Board and, in the case of settlement lands, Tlicho lands, Déline lands or other private lands, of the landowner, a permittee may store, in a manner, at a location and for a duration approved by the Board, the items referred to in subsection (1) that the permittee requires for a future land-use operation or other operation in the area.

7 Subparagraph 19(3)(b)(iv) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

8 Section 20 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

20 No fee set out in Schedule 1 is applicable to a use of land by Her Majesty in right of Canada and, for greater certainty, the territorial government shall not be required to pay fees set out in Schedule 1.

9 (1) The portion of subsection 22(2) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(2) Subject to sections 23.1 and 24, if the Board does not return an application under paragraph (1)(a), it shall, within 42 days after receipt of the complete application,

(2) Paragraph 22(2)(b) of the French version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

10 (1) The portion of paragraph 23(b) of the Regulations before subparagraph (i) is replaced by the following:

(2) Subparagraph 23(b)(iii) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

11 The portion of section 23.1 of the French version of the Regulations before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:

23.1 Lorsqu’une audience est tenue ou des études ou des investigations sont réalisées aux termes de l’alinéa 22(2)b) ou que l’Office d’examen des répercussions environnementales de la vallée du Mackenzie procède à l’évaluation environnementale d’un projet de développement pour lequel le permis est demandé, le délai préalable à la délivrance du permis ou du refus de le délivrer, prévu au paragraphe 22(2) ou à l’alinéa 23b), selon le cas, commence :

12 Paragraph 26(1)(j) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

13 Paragraph 30(c) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

14 Paragraph 32(4)(c) of the Regulations is repealed.

15 Subsection 36(1) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

36 (1) If a permittee fails to correct the contravention set out in the notice of suspension issued under subsection 35(1), or if the severity of the contravention so warrants, the Board may, after giving written notice to the permittee, cancel the permit.

16 Paragraph 40(2)(b) of the French version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

17 Schedule 2 to the Regulations is replaced by the Schedule 2 set out in the schedule to these Regulations.

18 The French version of the Regulations is amended by replacing “office” with “Office” in the following provisions:

Coming into Force

19 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), these Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

(2) Subsection 1(1) and section 2 come into force on the day on which section 32 of the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act, chapter 24 of the Statutes of Canada, 2015, comes into force, but if these Regulations are registered after that day, subsection 1(1) and section 2 come into force on the day on which these Regulations are registered.

(3) Subsections 1(2) and 5(2) and section 6 come into force on the day on which subsection 22(2) of the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act, chapter 24 of the Statutes of Canada, 2015, comes into force, but if these Regulations are registered after that day, subsections 1(2) and 5(2) and section 6 come into force on the day on which these Regulations are registered.

SCHEDULE
(Section 17)

SCHEDULE 2
(Subsection 19(2))

Information in Support of an Application for a Land-Use Permit

1

Applicant’s name and mailing address - Nom et adresse postale du demandeur

Fax no. - No de télécopieur

Telephone no. - No de téléphone

2

Head office address - Adresse du siège social

Fax no. - No de télécopieur

Field supervisor - Chef de chantier

Email address - Adresse courriel

Telephone no. - No de téléphone

3

Other personnel (subcontractor, contractors, company staff etc.) - Autre personnel (sous-traitants, entrepreneurs, personnel de société, etc.)

Total number of persons on site - Nombre total de personnes sur le chantier

4

Eligibility - Conditions d’obtention(Refer to section 18 of the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations. - Consulter l’article 18 du Règlement sur l’utilisation des terres de la vallée du Mackenzie.)

(a)(i) ☐ a)(i)

(a)(ii) ☐ a)(ii)

(a)(iii) ☐ a)(iii)

(b) ☐ b)

5

Other rights, licences or permits related to this permit application (mineral rights, timber permits, water licences, etc.)-

Autres droits, autorisations ou permis associés à cette demande de permis (droits miniers, permis de coupe, permis d’utilisation des eaux, etc.)

6

a) Summary of operation (describe purpose, nature and location of all activities) (Provide details on a separate page, if necessary)(Refer to paragraph 19(3)(b) of the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations.)

Résumé du projet (exposer le but, la nature et l’emplacement de tous les travaux) (Au besoin, utiliser une autre page.)(Consulter l’alinéa 19(3)b) du Règlement sur l’utilisation des terres de la vallée du Mackenzie.)

b) Indicate if a camp is to be set up. If yes, indicate size of camp or describe camp. (Provide details on a separate page, if necessary.)

Indiquer si un camp doit être aménagé. Si oui, indiquer sa dimension ou le décrire. (Au besoin, utiliser une autre page.)

7

Summary of potential environmental and resource impacts and mitigation measures (describe the effects of the proposed land-use operation on land, water, flora and fauna and related socio-economic impacts). (Use separate page if necessary.)

Résumé des mesures d’atténuation et des répercussions possibles sur l’environnement et les ressources (décrire les effets du projet sur les terres, l’eau, la flore et la faune et les répercussions socio-économiques connexes). (Au besoin, utiliser une autre page.)

8

Proposed restoration plans (Use a separate page if necessary) - Plans proposés de remise en état des terres (Au besoin, utiliser une autre page.)

Roads - Routes

Is this to be a pioneered road? (Provide details on a separate page.)

☐

Une route doit-elle être aménagée? (Donner les détails sur une autre page.)

☐ Has the route been laid out or ground truthed? Le tracé a-t-il été établi ou le terrain nivelé?

9

Proposed disposal methods - Méthodes d’élimination proposées

a) Garbage - Ordures

b) Sewage (Sanitary and grey water) - Eaux usées (eaux d’égout et eaux ménagères)

c) Brush & trees - Broussailles et arbres

d) Overburden (Organic soils, waste material, etc.) - Terrain de recouvrement (dépôts organiques, déchets, etc.)

10

Equipment (includes drills, pumps, etc.) (Use separate page if necessary.) Matériel (y compris foreuses, pompes, etc.) (Au besoin, utiliser une autre page.)

Number - Nombre

Type and Size - Type et dimensions

Proposed use - Utilisation proposée
     
     

11

Fuels - Combustibles

Number of containers - Nombre de réservoirs

Capacity of containers - Capacité des réservoirs

Location - Emplacement

Diesel

      

Gasoline - Essence

      

Aviation Fuel - Carburant aviation

      

Propane

      

Other - Autre

      

12

Containment fuel spill contingency plans (attach separate contingency plan if necessary) Plans d’urgence de confinement de combustible en cas de déversement (au besoin, joindre un plan d’urgence distinct)

13

Methods of fuel transfer (to other tanks, vehicles, etc.) - Méthodes de transfert des combustibles (à d’autres réservoirs, véhicules, etc.)

14

Period of operation (includes time to cover all phases of project work applied for, including restoration)
Durée du projet (comprend toute période du début à la fin des travaux, y compris la remise en état)

15

Period of permit (up to five years, with maximum of two years of extension)

Période du permis (valide jusqu’à concurrence de cinq ans et prolongation maximale de deux ans)

Start Date Date du début

Completion Date
Date d’achèvement

16

Location of activities by map coordinates (attach maps and sketches) Emplacement des travaux selon les coordonnées géographiques (joindre cartes et esquisses)

Minimum latitude (degree, minute)
Latitude minimale (degré, minute)

Maximum latitude (degree, minute)
Latitude maximale (degré, minute)

Minimum longitude (degree, minute)
Longitude minimale (degré, minute)

Maximum longitude (degree, minute)
Longitude maximale (degré, minute)

Map Sheet no.
No de feuille de carte

17

Applicant - Demandeur
Print name in full, in upper case - Nom complet en majuscules

 

Signature

Date

18

Application fees for Type A or Type B permit + Land-use fees forfederal public lands / Droits de demande de permis de Type A ou de Type B + droits d’utilisation desterres domaniales fédérales

  

a) Application fees for Type A or Type B permit (include the first two hectares) - $150.00 / Droits de demande de permis de Type A ou de Type B (couvrent les deux premiers hectares) - 150,00 $

$___________________$

AND / ET

b) Land-use fees for federal public lands : / Droits d’utilisation des terres domaniales fédérales :
If more than two hectares of federal public lands are being used, enter the number of hectares in excess of the two hectares included in the Application fee, rounded up to the next whole hectare / Si plus de deux hectares de terres domaniales fédérales sont utilisés, entrez le nombre d’hectares excédant les deux hectares inclus dans les droits de demande de permis, arrondi au prochain hectare entier

________________ hectares at $50.00/hectare / _______________ hectares à 50,00 $/hectare

$___________________$

Total fees - Total des droits

$___________________$

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Issues

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada has the ongoing responsibility to maintain the clarity and effectiveness of regulations made pursuant to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, which was last amended on April 1, 2014. An internal review of the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations (the Regulations) as well as recommendations made by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations and the land and water boards of the Mackenzie Valley has led to the identification of a number of technical issues with the Regulations. In particular,

Background

The Regulations set out certain operational details for the use of land in the Mackenzie Valley, including details respecting applications for the use of land and the issuance of land use permits (including the fees to be paid and the security to be posted by a permittee). The Regulations set the level of land use for which a permit is required and establish three types of permits: Type A, Type B and Type C. The Type C permit is only applicable where it is required by a Tlicho law for a use of Tlicho lands where a Type A or Type B permit is not required (similarly, it will also be applicable where it is required by a Déline law for a use of Déline Lands when the relevant provisions of the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act come into force).

Objectives

The objectives of the amendments to the Regulations are to

Description

The amendments address the aforementioned issues in the Regulations.

Specific references to “Déline lands” and “Déline law” have been added in a number of provisions to reflect amendments made to the Act as a result of the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act receiving royal assent on June 18, 2015. These amendments to the Regulations would come into force on the day that the relevant provisions of the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act come into force.

One amendment removes an illegal sub-delegation of power in the English version of subsection 36(1) of the Regulations which allows a board to make a determination of the severity of a contravention. A board cannot make this determination. This amendment was recommended by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations. This was an omission from amendments made to the Regulations in 2013 where the French version was amended but not the English version.

Subparagraph 23(b)(iii) is also amended to correct an omission from the amendments made to the Regulations in 2013. At that time, paragraph 23(b) was amended to extend the period for a board to action an application from 15 days to 30 days. Subparagraph 23(b)(iii) should also have been amended at that time to make a corresponding change from 15 days to 30 days. The original 2013 amendment was recommended by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.

The word “office” in the French version will change to “Office” for consistency with the English use of “Board.”

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada conducted an internal review of the Regulations with the goal of ensuring consistency with the provisions of the amended Act. The amendments include changing the words “historical sites” to “historic sites,” “burial grounds” to “burial sites,” and “enquête” to “audience.”

An amendment to section 20 of the Regulations clarifies which fees do not apply to a use of land by Her Majesty in right of Canada and by the Government of the Northwest Territories, while paragraph 30(c) is amended to require a proponent to specify the technology used for obtaining geographic coordinates in a final plan. An amendment to paragraph 32(4)(c) removes “performance bonds” from the list of options of posted security. This form of posted security has not been used for several years and it is not expected to be used for future projects.

The “Information in Support of an Application for a Land-Use Permit” form contained in Schedule 2 of the Regulations is amended to make it fully bilingual, more user-friendly and to update the information requested such as changing “radiotelephone number” to an “email address.” These amendments are made at the request of the land and water boards of the Mackenzie Valley, which work on a daily basis with this form.

“One-for-One” Rule

The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply. There are no administrative costs or savings to business achieved with these amendments.

Small business lens

The small business lens does not apply. There are no costs to small business associated with these amendments.

Consultation

On December 9, 2015, a consultation document on proposed amendments to the Regulations was distributed to groups and individuals with interests in the Mackenzie Valley. While the distribution was targeted to indigenous groups in the Mackenzie Valley, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, the land and water boards in the Mackenzie Valley, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Tlicho Government, the document was also sent to industry groups (Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Mining Association of Canada, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada) and other indigenous groups with transboundary interests in the Mackenzie Valley (Athabasca and Manitoba Denesuline, Dene Tha’ First Nation, Liard First Nation and Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation). The contacted groups and individuals were given until March 1, 2016, to provide their comments.

Comments were received from the Tlicho Government and the land and water boards of the Mackenzie Valley. The comments received were generally supportive of the proposed amendments.

While the Tlicho Government was supportive of the other amendments, they objected on both substantive and procedural grounds to amendments pertaining to provisions of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, which are not in force, that are related to the restructuring of the regional land and water boards. This issue is the subject of ongoing legal action and an injunction. The objectionable amendments have been removed from the amendments that are being made to the Regulations.

The land and water boards of the Mackenzie Valley recommended a number of additional amendments to the ones being proposed to the Regulations. These included making it clear that the territorial government is also exempted from paying fees for the use of land; increasing the time period for the issuance of Type B land-use permits to that of a Type A permit; and “housekeeping” administrative amendments to the “Information in Support of an Application for a Land-Use Permit” form contained in Schedule 2. All recommended amendments were added to the regulatory amendments except for increasing the time period for the issuance of Type B land-use permits to that of a Type A permit. The land and water boards were reminded that the time periods for Type B permits were recently increased from 15 days to 30 days. It was also pointed out that there is a difference in the complexity between an application for a Type A permit and an application for a Type B permit and that difference should be reflected in the Regulations by a shorter issuance period. In addition, section 23 of the Regulations already allows a board to extend the time periods for a more complex Type B permit application to that of a Type A permit application.

Rationale

The amendments will help to maintain the clarity and effectiveness of the Regulations by addressing the issues that were identified through an internal review conducted by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada as well as recommendations received from the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations and the land and water boards of the Mackenzie Valley.

The exemption from paying the fees in relation to land use is extended to the Government of the Northwest Territories. It removes the administrative burden of one government transferring funds to another government through a third-party, a land and water board of the Mackenzie Valley. The financial impact of this exemption represents a very minor loss of revenue (an average of $300 over the last 2 years).

There are no additional costs related to these Regulations.

The use of regulations for this purpose is the best solution to resolve the outlined issues and it fulfils the intent of the enabling legislation and ensures consistency with agreements with indigenous groups.

Implementation, enforcement and service standards

There are no changes in the implementation of the Regulations as a result of these amendments. Compliance and enforcement measures will continue to be applied as they are currently.

The majority of the amendments will come into force on the day on which they are registered. The amendments to subsections 1(1), 1(2) and 5(2) and sections 2 and 6 of the Regulations, which pertain to the provisions of the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act, will only come into force when that Act comes into force.

At the time of registration, all organizations contacted during the consultation process will be informed of the coming into force of the amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations.

Contact

Gilles Binda
Senior Advisor
Resource Policy and Programs
Natural Resources and Environment Branch
Northern Affairs Organization
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
15 Eddy Street, Room 10F7
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H4
Blackberry: 613-290-3845
Fax: 819-934-0584
Email: Gilles.Binda@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca