Deline self-government bill approved in Senate, set to become law

Bill C-63, the Final Self-Government Agreement Act for the community of Deline, N.W.T., is set to become law after passing third reading in the Senate this afternoon.

The bill now just needs Royal Assent before it becomes law.

With the passing of the bill, Deline is set to become the first self-governed community in the Northwest Territories.Danny Gaudet, Deline's chief negotiator, previously said the community is aiming to be ready to govern by April 2016.

The newDelinegovernment will be funded by the federal and territorial government andwill deliver services such as health care, education and housing.It will also have the authority to collect income tax from people inDelineor on Settlement Lands.

After the bill passed, the delegation fromDelinecelebrated with a drum dance in the Senate foyer. Senator Salma Ataullahjan tweeted a video of the ceremony, briefly referencing the ongoing fallout from the auditor general's report on Senate spending.