Debate on superboard starts Wednesday in Ottawa

The fate of regional land and water boards in the Northwest Territories is now in the hands of the Canadian parliament.

The Conservative government has introduced a bill that would get rid of the four land and water boards and replace them with one superboard.

• Timeline | N.W.T. Devolution

Some critics say the change will reduce the ability of aboriginal groups to control their own land.

It won't help anyone, says Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus, who believes the superboard will reduce the ability of aboriginal groups to control their own land.

Its difficult to accept because its a step backwards in the whole process of working with First Nations Governments.

Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington says he's not happy the debates over devolution and superboards are being lumped together.

On the one hand, with devolution, you're giving certain powers to the territorial government. On the other hand, with the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, you may be actually increasing the ultimate power of the federal government to make decisions for us... its a bit contradictory and can lead to a lot of stress in the future.

Debate to create the superboard starts tomorrow in Ottawa

If all goes as the Conservatives plan, there will be a superboard by April 1.