OTTAWA - The Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, today announced the appointment of David M. Hamilton as a member of the National Energy Board (NEB). He will be responsible for matters relating to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Project. "Mr. Hamilton has had a long and distinguished career in public service in Canada's North, and he will be a welcome addition to the Board," said Minister Efford. "I believe his leadership and knowledge of the issues will be an asset to the Board in its deliberations and decisions." Mr. Hamilton retired as Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in October 2003 after serving for more than 20 years. Prior to his appointment as Clerk, he worked for the territorial government in Fort Simpson, Yellowknife and Aklavik. Among his accomplishments, he conducted the plebiscites on division of the Northwest Territories to create Nunavut, administered the first general election in Nunavut and participated in the ratification votes for numerous land-claim settlement agreements. He received the Governor General's Commemorative Medal in 1993 and the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2002. Originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, Mr. Hamilton came to Canada in 1970. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Yellowknife Community Foundation, and has just obtained his Master's degree in leadership and training at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia. The NEB is an independent federal agency, established by an Act of Parliament in 1959, that regulates several aspects of Canada's energy industry, notably oil, gas and electricity. Its purpose is to promote safety, environmental protection and economic efficiency in the Canadian public interest, and to study matters relating to the development and use of energy resources. For more information, media may contact: Tom Ormsby Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 996-2007 Ghyslain Charron Media Relations Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 992-4447
