FOR RELEASE December 14, 2004 OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Paul Martin and First Ministers Joseph Handley (Northwest Territories), Dennis Fentie (Yukon) and Paul Okalik (Nunavut) released a framework for the first-ever jointly developed Northern Strategy at a press conference today. The framework will be used as a basis for consultation in the development of the strategy, which will be completed by this spring. "We believe the time is right to launch a new era of development and transformation in the North," said Prime Minister Martin. "Building on the new federal investment announced today, we are committed to the development of a strategy with the full participation and collaboration of territorial governments and Northerners." "I am pleased with today's announcement; it dovetails with our recently developed Strategic Plan. I am particularly looking forward to working hard on a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement in keeping with the Prime Minister's commitment to make significant progress on this by next spring," Handley said. The framework includes a draft vision for the North, along with some suggested principles to guide the development of the strategy and a set of possible goals and objectives to realize the vision. "This is an exciting opportunity for Yukoners to work together to develop a strategy for the North that celebrates our diversity and ensures we are strong contributors in the federation with healthier, more vital communities," Fentie said. "We are looking forward to enhancing an already excellent working relationship with the other two territories and continuing a new era of co-operation with the federal government in order to get this done." "In Pinasuaqtavut, Nunavut has set out a long-term vision for the development of our territory," Okaliksaid. "Our work on the Northern Strategy will permit us to achieve those objectives in the years ahead. We welcome the Prime Minister's interest in working with us to build an economically self-sufficient Territory which will contribute to the strength of Canada." Joint consultations will be held to provide the opportunity for Northerners to provide input. All four governments have committed to involving Aboriginal governments and organizations in the process. The Prime Minister and the First Ministers emphasized that the primary purpose of the Northern Strategy is to make a real difference in the quality of life of Northerners and in the capacity of Northerners to manage their own affairs. In order to further these objectives, the Prime Minister announced the following initiatives. The Government of Canada will make an additional investment of $120 million, divided equally among the three territories, in order to provide the territorial governments with additional capacity over three years to help achieve the objectives of the Northern Strategy in the short term. In addition, consistent with its commitment to the devolution of provincial-type responsibilities to northern governments, the Government of Canada will, within a year, begin devolution negotiations with Nunavut. The Government of Canada and the Government of Nunavut would like to reach an agreement on devolution as quickly as possible, and have set a goal of reaching a final agreement by December 2008. With respect to devolution in the Northwest Territories, Prime Minister Martin and First Minister Handley confirmed that the conclusion of a Devolution and Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement is a priority for both governments. They expect to see significant progress in the negotiations on Devolution and Resource Revenue Sharing by the end of spring 2005. The Territorial First Ministers welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement on the new investments and on further steps to make devolution a reality in all three territories. For more information, visit www.northernstrategy.ca. - 30 - Contact: Daniel Brien Government of Canada Director, Communications (819) 997-0002 Bill Clay Government of Nunavut Communications Director (867) 975-5059 Julia Mott Government of NWT Coordinator, Cabinet Communications (867) 669-2304 Anthony Delorenzo Government of Yukon A/Director, Communications (867) 667-5339
